ABSTRACT
Amine oxidases (AOs) could also be characterized by their mechanism of oxidation. The separation of AOs according to their substrate specificity was even more confused when Gorkin and Tatyanenko reported that the substrate specificity of mitochondrial monoamine oxidases can be altered by treating the enzyme with peroxides of oleic acid. AOs catalyze the oxidation of amines or polyamines and thereby regulate their cellular levels. Growth and differentiation processes are closely related to cellular polyamine levels; hence, these vital processes may be regulated by modulating cellular amine levels. The oxidation of amines, diamines, and polyamines is catalyzed by amine oxidases, the classification of which may be based on the following criteria: Substrate specificity, Mode of oxidation, Sensitivity to inhibitors, Structure of enzyme and cofactor requirement. In addition, perturbation of AOs has been associated with the following pathological conditions Cancer, Uremia, Behavior, Pregnancy. The formation of cross-links in elastin and collagen may also be mediated by copper-containing AOs.
