Summary
The histochemical distribution of monoamine oxidase A and B in rat brain was investigated using a coupled peroxidatic technique with benzylamine and tyramine as substrates and clorgyline and (−)-deprenyl as selective inhibitors. Benzylamine oxidase was absent in all areas. Both forms of monoamine oxidase were present, at low levels, in all areas; in addition several regions showed high activity of one or other form or both. Substantial activity of monoamine oxidase B was identified in the pineal gland, the lining of the ventricles, several hypothalamic regions, and the raphe nuclei. The locus coeruleus and interpeduncular nucleus possessed considerable type A activity. The substantia nigra and striatum showed no staining above the low general level, although the ventral tegmental area showed higher levels of both A and B.
In general, noradrenaline-containing neuronal cell body areas showed monoamine oxidase A, and 5-hydroxytryptamine-rich areas monoamine oxidase B. There was no consistent enrichment of either in corresponding dopamine-rich regions. Monoamine oxidase thus appears to have a different role in these three types of neuron.
The low level of monoamine oxidase B in the nigrostriatal tract may help to explain the resistance of the rat to MPTP toxicity.
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Willoughby, J., Glover, V. & Sandler, M. Histochemical localisation of monoamine oxidase A and B in rat brain. J. Neural Transmission 74, 29–42 (1988). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01243573
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01243573