Activation of monoamine oxidase type-B by aluminum in rat brain homogenate

MONOAMINE oxidase type B (MAO-B) activity is elevated in certain neurologic al diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease with respect to age -matched controls; the cause of this elevation is unknown. The documented a ccumulation of aluminum in certain neurodegenerative diseases prompted us t o test the effect of Al3+ on the activity of MAO-B in rat brain homogenate. Results showed that the metal ion significantly increased MAO-B enzymatic activity in a dose-dependent manner, yielding a K-M of 5.69 mu M compared w ith 34.45 mu M in the absence of the metal ion. The Vmax of 45.34 mu mol/mi n was unchanged in the presence of the metal ion. (C) 1999 Lippincott Willi ams & Wilkins.