Monoamine oxidase (MAO) is a flavin-containing enzyme that catalyzes the oxidation of a variety of amine-containing neurotransmitters such as serotonin, norepinephrine, epinephrine and dopamine to yield the corresponding aldehydes. MAO exists in two isoforms, namely MAO-A and MAO-B, which are the products of two distinct genes. MAO-A and B exhibit different specificities to substrates and inhibitor selectivities. Extensive studies have been preformed to characterize their properties. MAO-A acts preferentially on serotonin and norepinephrine, and is inhibited by clorgyline. MAO-B acts preferentially on 2-phenylethylamine and benzylamine and is inhibited by deprenyl and pargyline. Localized in the outer mitochondrial membrane, these enzymes are found throughout the body. Often only one form of the enzyme is present in a specific organ and/or within a specific cell type. In addition to their role in regulating neurotransmitters, these enzymes are also involved in processing biogenic amines including tyramine.

This kit utilizes a non-fluorescent detection reagent to measure H2O2 released from the conversion of a substrate to its aldehyde via MAO-A/B. Furthermore H2O2 oxidizes the detection reagent in a 1:1 stoichiometry to produce a fluorescent product resorufin. This oxidation is catalyzed by peroxidase. The fluorescent monoamine oxidase detection kit can be used to monitor MAO activity and the screening of MAO inhibitors.