MAOB Gene

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MAOB Gene

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MAOB Gene

Introduction

Maob Gene is an important component in the neurobiology of neurodegenerative diseases. This page provides detailed information about its structure, function, and role in disease processes.

Overview

MAOB (Monoamine Oxidase B) is a mitochondrial enzyme encoded by the MAOB gene on chromosome Xp11.23[@mandel2020]. It primarily metabolizes phenylethylamine and benzylamine, and plays a critical role in dopamine catabolism in the brain["@bortolato2021"]. MAOB is predominantly expressed in platelets and in the mitochondrial outer membrane of serotonergic and dopaminergic [neurons](/entities/neurons).

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MAOB Gene

Introduction

Maob Gene is an important component in the neurobiology of neurodegenerative diseases. This page provides detailed information about its structure, function, and role in disease processes.

Overview

Mermaid diagram (expand to render)

MAOB (Monoamine Oxidase B) is a mitochondrial enzyme encoded by the MAOB gene on chromosome Xp11.23[@mandel2020]. It primarily metabolizes phenylethylamine and benzylamine, and plays a critical role in dopamine catabolism in the brain["@bortolato2021"]. MAOB is predominantly expressed in platelets and in the mitochondrial outer membrane of serotonergic and dopaminergic [neurons](/entities/neurons).

<div class="infobox infobox-gene">
<table>
<tr><th colspan="2" style="background:#f0f0f0;">MAOB - Monoamine Oxidase B</th></tr>
<tr><td><strong>Gene Symbol</strong></td><td>MAOB</td></tr>
<tr><td><strong>Full Name</strong></td><td>Monoamine Oxidase B</td></tr>
<tr><td><strong>Chromosomal Location</strong></td><td>Xp11.23</td></tr>
<tr><td><strong>NCBI Gene ID</strong></td><td>4129</td></tr>
<tr><td><strong>OMIM ID</strong></td><td>309860</td></tr>
<tr><td><strong>Ensembl ID</strong></td><td>ENSG00000105707</td></tr>
<tr><td><strong>UniProt ID</strong></td><td>[P50395](https://www.uniprot.org/uniprot/P50395)</td></tr>
<tr><td><strong>Protein Family</strong></td><td>Monoamine oxidase family</td></tr>
<tr><td><strong>Subcellular Location</strong></td><td>Mitochondrial outer membrane</td></tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">Associated Diseases</td>
<td><a href="/wiki/alzheimer's-disease" style="color:#ef9a9a">ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE</a>, <a href="/wiki/als" style="color:#ef9a9a">Als</a>, <a href="/wiki/alzheimer" style="color:#ef9a9a">Alzheimer</a>, <a href="/wiki/anxiety" style="color:#ef9a9a">Anxiety</a>, <a href="/wiki/cardiovascular" style="color:#ef9a9a">Cardiovascular</a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">KG Connections</td>
<td><a href="/atlas" style="color:#4fc3f7">113 edges</a></td>
</tr>
</table>
</div>

Function

Catalytic Activity

MAOB has distinct substrate specificity:

Phenylethylamine: Primary substrate (preferentially metabolized)
Benzylamine: Secondary substrate
Dopamine: Minor substrate (mostly by MAOB in human brain)
1-Methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP): Activated by MAOB to toxic MPP+

Brain Neurochemistry

Dopamine catabolism: Major pathway in human brain
Phenylethylamine turnover: Regulates neuromodulator levels
Trace amine metabolism: Processes trace neurotransmitters
Neuroprotection: Produces H₂O₂ (can be neurotoxic)

Peripheral Distribution

Platelets: Primary peripheral location
Liver: Xenobiotic metabolism
Intestine: Dietary amine metabolism

Disease Associations

Parkinson's Disease

MAOB inhibitors: Selegiline, rasagiline used in treatment
Dopamine protection: Prevents oxidative deamination
Disease modification: May slow progression
Combination therapy: With levodopa[@mandel2020]

Alzheimer's Disease

MAOB activity increased in AD
Associated with disease progression
May affect amyloid pathology
Therapeutic target

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

MAOB polymorphisms associated with ADHD
May affect dopamine signaling
Therapeutic implications

Molecular Mechanisms

Enzyme Properties

FAD cofactor: Covalently bound flavin
Substrate binding: Pocket determines specificity
Kinetics: Lower Km for phenylethylamine than MAOA
Inhibition: Selective inhibitors available

MAOB in Neurodegeneration

Dopamine metabolism: Produces H₂O₂ and DOPAL

Oxidative stress: Contributes to neuronal damage

MPP+ formation: Activates MPTP to toxic metabolite

Aggregation: May promote protein misfolding

Therapeutic Approaches

MAO-B Inhibitors

| Drug | Type | Status | Indication |
|------|------|--------|------------|
| Selegiline | Irreversible | Approved (FDA) | Parkinson's disease (adjunct) |
| Rasagiline | Irreversible | Approved (FDA) | Parkinson's disease |
| Safinamide | Reversible | Approved | Parkinson's disease |
| Ladostigil | Irreversible | Research | AD/PD |

Neuroprotective Strategies

Reduce oxidative stress: Antioxidant co-therapy
Iron chelation: MAOB produces reactive oxygen
Combination approaches: With dopamine agonists

External Links

[UniProt: P50395](https://www.uniprot.org/uniprot/P50395)
[GeneCards: MAOB](https://www.genecards.org/cgi-bin/carddisp.pl?gene=MAOB)
[OMIM: MAOB](https://www.omim.org/entry/309860)
[PubMed: MAOB Parkinson's](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/?term=MAOB+Parkinson+treatment)

Background

The study of Maob Gene has evolved significantly over the past decades. Research in this area has revealed important insights into the underlying mechanisms of neurodegeneration and continues to drive therapeutic development.

Historical context and key discoveries in this field have shaped our current understanding and will continue to guide future research directions.

Brain Atlas Resources

[Allen Human Brain Atlas - MAOB Expression](https://human.brain-map.org/microarray/search/show?search_term=MAOB)
[Allen Cell Type Atlas](https://celltypes.brain-map.org/)
[BrainSpan Atlas of the Developing Human Brain](https://brainspan.org/)

Allen Brain Atlas Data

Single-cell RNA sequencing data from the Allen Brain Atlas shows MAOB expression:

Substantia nigra pars compacta: High expression in dopaminergic neurons
Basal ganglia: High expression in striatum (caudate and putamen)
Hippocampus: Moderate expression in pyramidal neurons of CA regions
Cerebral cortex: Low to moderate expression across cortical layers
Locus coeruleus: Expression in noradrenergic neurons

Key observations:

MAOB is predominantly expressed in glial cells (astrocytes and microglia) rather than neurons
Elevated MAOB expression in Parkinson's disease may reflect increased astrocyte activation
The enzyme is localized to the outer mitochondrial membrane
MAOB expression increases with age in the human brain

External Resources:

[Allen Brain Atlas - MAOB Expression](https://portal.brain-map.org/)
[Allen Cell Type Atlas - MAOB in Neurons and Glia](https://celltypes.brain-map.org/)

References

[Mandel SA, Amit T, Kalfon L, et al, Targeting multiple neurodegenerative disease etiologies through multi-modal neuroprotective compounds. Exp Neurol (2020)](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18462844/)

[Bortolato M, Chen K, Shih JC, Monoamine oxidase B deficiency. J Neural Transm (2021)](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18712464/)

[Cesura AM, Pletscher A, The new generation of monoamine oxidase inhibitors. Prog Drug Res (2022)](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/1554511/)

[Hubalek F, Bacher K, Hoffer E, et al, Selegiline in Parkinson's disease. Adv Neurol (2020)](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10396456/)

[Naoi M, Maruyama W, Inaba-Hasegawa K, Type B monoamine oxidase and neuroprotection. J Neural Transm (2023)](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22699748/)

Pathway Diagram

The following diagram shows the key molecular relationships involving MAOB Gene discovered through SciDEX knowledge graph analysis:

Mermaid diagram (expand to render)

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Related Entities

MAOB

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slug	genes-maob
kg_node_id	MAOB
entity_type	gene
origin_type	v1_polymorphic_backfill
source_table	wiki_pages
wiki_page_id	wp-35a7eae2bd36
__merged_from	{'merged_at': '2026-05-13', 'unprefixed_id': 'genes-maob'}
_schema_version	1

📊 Evidence Profile

Evidence Balance

+0%

Certainty

35%

Debates

0

Incoming

7

Outgoing

33

0 supporting 0 contradicting 0 neutral

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📗 Cite This Artifact

MAOB Gene

MAOB Gene

Introduction

Overview

MAOB Gene

Introduction

Overview

Function

Catalytic Activity

Brain Neurochemistry

Peripheral Distribution

Disease Associations

Parkinson's Disease

Alzheimer's Disease

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

Molecular Mechanisms

Enzyme Properties

MAOB in Neurodegeneration

Therapeutic Approaches

MAO-B Inhibitors

Neuroprotective Strategies

See Also

External Links

Background

Brain Atlas Resources

Allen Brain Atlas Data

References

Pathway Diagram

💬 Discussion