Inhibitors alter the spectrum and redox properties of monoamine oxidase A

Monoamine oxidase A (MAO A) catalyses the oxidation of both neurotransmitter and ingested amines. The mechanism of catalysis involves the covalently bound FAD cofactor. Although substrates and inhibitors alter the thermodynamic and kinetic properties of the flavin, how the ligands interact with the flavin is unknown. This work characterises the spectral changes that occur on inhibitor binding to MAO A and examines how the binding influences the flavin. The inhibitors, D-amphetamine, harmine, tetrindole, and befloxatone all induce similar (but not identical) changes in the spectrum of MAO A, consistent with stacking of inhibitor with the flavin in the active site. D-Amphetamine, harmine, and tetrindole stabilise the semiquinone form of FAD during reduction of MAO A by dithionite and no further reduction of these inhibitor-MAO A complexes has been observed. In contrast, semiquinone is never observed during reduction of the befloxatone-MAO A complex. Instead, partial reduction directly to the FADH(2) form occurs extremely slowly. Thus, inhibitor binding has a strong, structure-dependent influence on the environment of the flavin that alters its electronic properties.     

Modeling of substrate-binding region of the active site of monoamine oxidase A

The mold of the substrate-binding region of the active site of monoamine oxidase A (MAO A) was designed using data of the enzyme interaction with reversible competitive inhibitors and the analysis of their three-dimensional structures. The superposition of ligands in biologically active conformations allowed determination of the shape and dimension of the active site cavity accommodating these compounds. The correctness of this approach was validated by the analysis of HIV protease interaction with its inhibitors using three-dimensional structures of HIV protease-inhibitor complexes. The mold of the substrate/inhibitor-binding site can be used for searching for new ligands in molecular databases and the development of a new generation of MAO inhibitors using lead structures that have not been employed for this purpose yet.     

Exploring the structural basis of the selective inhibition of monoamine oxidase A by dicarbonitrile aminoheterocycles: Role of Asn181 and Ile335 validated by spectroscopic and computational studies

Since cyanide potentiates the inhibitory activity of several monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors, a series of carbonitrile-containing aminoheterocycles was examined to explore the role of nitriles in determining the inhibitory activity against MAO. Dicarbonitrile aminofurans were found to be potent, selective inhibitors against MAO A. The origin of the MAO A selectivity was identified by combining spectroscopic and computational methods. Spectroscopic changes induced in MAO A by mono- and dicarbonitrile inhibitors were different, providing experimental evidence for distinct binding modes to the enzyme. Similar differences were also found between the binding of dicarbonitrile compounds to MAO A and to MAO B. Stabilization of the flavin anionic semiquinone by monocarbonitrile compounds, but destabilization by dicarbonitriles, provided further support to the distinct binding modes of these compounds and their interaction with the flavin ring. Molecular modeling studies supported the role played by the nitrile and amino groups in anchoring the inhibitor to the binding cavity. In particular, the results highlight the role of Asn181 and Ile335 in assisting the interaction of the nitrile-containing aminofuran ring. The network of interactions afforded by the specific attachment of these functional groups provides useful guidelines for the design of selective, reversible MAO A inhibitors.     

Inactivation of monoamine oxidase A by the monoamine oxidase B inactivators 1-phenylcyclopropylamine, 1-benzylcyclopropylamine, and N-cyclopropyl-alpha-methylbenzylamine

Three known mechanism-based inactivators of beef liver mitochondrial monoamine oxidase (MAO) B are tested as inactivators of human placental mitochondrial MAO A. 1-Phenylcyclopropylamine (1-PCPA), 1-benzylcyclopropylamine (1-BCPA), and N-cyclopropyl-alpha-methylbenzylamine (N-C alpha MBA) are time-dependent irreversible inactivators of MAO A. The KI values for 1-PCPA and N-C alpha MBA, analogues of the MAO B substrate benzylamine, are much higher with MAO A than with MAO B. Evidence is presented to show that 1-PCPA inactivates MAO A by attachment to the flavin cofactor, unlike the reaction with MAO B in which 1-PCPA can attach to both a cysteine residue and the flavin [Silverman, R.B., & Zieske, P.A. (1985) Biochemistry 24, 2128-2138]. The reaction of 1-BCPA with MAO A was too slow to study in detail. N-C alpha MBA exhibits the same properties toward inactivation of MAO A that it does for inactivation of MAO B. Attachment in both cases is shown to be to one cysteine residue per enzyme molecule. The results with 1-PCPA indicate that the active site topographies of MAO A and MAO B are different. The ability of N-C alpha MBA to undergo attachment to a cysteine residue in both MAO A and MAO B may lead the way toward peptide mapping of the two isozymes in order to determine differences in their primary structures.     

Spectrometric evidence for the flavin-1-phenylcyclopropylamine inactivator adduct with monoamine oxidase N

1-Phenylcyclopropylamine (1-PCPA) is shown to be an inactivator of the fungal flavoenzyme monoamine oxidase (MAO) N. Inactivation results in an increase in absorbance at 410 nm and is accompanied by the concomitant loss of the flavin absorption band at 458 nm. The spectral properties of the covalent adduct formed between the flavin cofactor of MAO N and 1-PCPA are similar to those reported for the irreversible inactivation product formed with 1-PCPA and mammalian mitochondrial monoamine oxidase B [Silverman, R. B., and Zieske, P. A. (1985) Biochemistry 24, 2128-2138]. There is a hypsochromic shift of the 410 nm band upon lowering the pH to 2, indicating that an N(5)-flavin adduct formed upon inactivation. Use of the fungal enzyme, MAO N, which lacks the covalent attachment to the flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD) cofactor present in the mammalian forms MAO A and MAO B, has allowed for the isolation and further structural identification of the flavin-inactivator adduct. The incorporation of two (13)C labels into the inactivator, [2,3-(13)C(2)]-1-PCPA, followed by analysis using on-line liquid chromatography/electrospray ionization mass spectrometry and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, provided a means to explore the structure of the flavin-inactivator adduct of MAO N. The spectral evidence supports covalent attachment of the 1-PCPA inactivator to the cofactor as N(5)-3-oxo-3-phenylpropyl-FAD.     

Conformational changes in monoamine oxidase A in response to ligand binding or reduction

The structure of monoamine oxidase B revealed three aromatic amino acid residues within contact distance of the flavin cofactor and a large number of aromatic residues in the substrate binding site. Circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy can detect alterations in the environment of aromatic residues as a result of ligand binding or redox changes. CD spectra of MAO A indicate that a small inhibitor such d-amphetamine perturbs the aromatic residues very little, but binding of the larger pirlindole (2,3,3a,4,5,6-hexahydro-8-methyl-1H-pyrazino[3,2,1-j,k]carbazole hydrochloride) causes spectral changes consistent with the alteration of the environment of tyrosine and tryptophan residues in particular. Reduction of the flavin cofactor induces large enhancement of the CD signals in the aromatic region (260-310 nm). When covalent modification of the flavin by clorgyline accompanies reduction, the perturbation is even greater. In contrast to the static picture offered by crystallography, this study reveals changes in the aromatic cage on ligand binding and suggests that reduction of the cofactor substantially alters the environment of aromatic residues presumably near the flavin. In addition, the covalently modified reduced MAO A shows significant differences from the substrate-reduced enzyme.     

First partial three-dimensional model of human monoamine oxidase A

A survey of the major known structural aspects of monoamine oxidase (MAO) is given and a first partial model of human MAO A is presented. This 3D model has been established using secondary structure predictions and fold recognition methods. It shows two α/β domains (the FAD-binding N-terminal and central domains) and an α+β domain. The C-terminal region is predicted to be responsible for anchoring the protein into the mitochondrial membrane and was not modeled. The covalent binding of the flavin cofactor to a cysteine residue is well predicted. The model is validated with experimental data from the literature and should be useful in designing new experimental studies (site-directed mutagenesis, chemical modification, specific antibodies). This first step towards the 3D structure of monoamine oxidase should contribute to a better understanding of the mechanisms of action and inhibition of this drug target in the treatment of clinical depression. Proteins 32:97–110, 1998. © 1998 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Steered molecular dynamics simulations reveal important mechanisms in reversible monoamine oxidase B inhibition

The monotopic membrane protein monoamine oxidase B (MAO B) is an important drug target for Parkinson's disease. In order to design more specific, and thereby more effective, inhibitors for this enzyme, it is necessary to determine what factors govern inhibitor specificity and the inhibitor binding process, including the roles of the lipid bilayer, the active site loop, and several key residues within the binding pocket. Atomistic molecular dynamics simulations of MAO B either embedded in a lipid bilayer or free in solution have been performed. The simulations suggest that the bilayer controls the availability of the active site cavity by regulating the degree of fluctuation in two key loops that form the greater part of the active site entrance (residues 85-110 and 155-165). In turn, the enzyme itself causes local thinning and a decrease in area per lipid of the surrounding bilayer environment. Additional MD simulations of MAO B in complex with seven different reversible inhibitors followed by nonequilibrium steered MD simulations of the inhibitor unbinding have also been performed. The simulations demonstrate that the average energy of interaction between inhibitor and MAO B residues during inhibitor egress is an effective indicator of inhibitor strength and is also useful for identifying key residues that govern inhibitor specificity. These data provide researchers with valuable tools for designing effective MAO B inhibitors as well as outline a method that can be translated to the study of other enzyme-inhibitor complexes.     

A stable tyrosyl radical in monoamine oxidase A

We present spectroscopic evidence consistent with the presence of a stable tyrosyl radical in partially reduced human monoamine oxidase (MAO) A. The radical forms following single electron donation to MAO A and exists in equilibrium with the FAD flavosemiquinone. Oxidative formation of the tyrosyl radical in MAO is not reliant on neighboring metal centers and uniquely requires reduction of the active site flavin to facilitate oxidation of a tyrosyl side chain. The identified tyrosyl radical provides the key missing link in support of the single electron transfer mechanism for amine oxidation by MAO enzymes.     

Mechanism of inactivation of monoamine oxidase by 1-phenylcyclopropylamine

1-Phenylcyclopropylamine (1-PCPA) is shown to be a mechanism-based inactivator of mitochondrial monoamine oxidase (MAO). The strained cyclopropyl ring is important to inactivation since alpha,alpha-dimethylbenzylamine, the acyclic analogue of 1-PCPA, is neither an inactivator nor a substrate of MAO. Two different pathways occur during inactivation by 1-PCPA, both believed to be derived from a common intermediate. One pathway leads to irreversible inactivation of the enzyme and a 1:1 stoichiometry of radioactivity to the active site when 1-[phenyl-14C]PCPA is used as the inactivator; the other pathway results in a covalent reversible adduct. Three organic reactions are carried out on the irreversibly labeled enzyme in order to determine the structure of the active site adduct. Sodium boro[3H]hydride reduction results in the incorporation of 0.73 equiv of tritium, suggesting a carbonyl functionality. Baeyer-Villiger oxidation followed by saponification gives 0.8 equiv of phenol, indicating the presence of a phenyl ketone. Treatment of the labeled enzyme with hydroxide produces acrylophenone, as would be expected from the retro-Michael reaction of beta-X-propiophenone. The identity of X is determined in two ways. The optical spectrum of the flavin cofactor is reduced during inactivation; no reoxidation occurs upon denaturation. Pronase treatment of the radioactively labeled enzyme produces fragments that contain both the radioactivity and the flavin. The X group, therefore, is the flavin. The results of two tests designed to differentiate N5 from C4a attachment to the flavin suggest an N5 adduct. In addition to formation of this stable covalent adduct, another pathway occurs 7 times as often. This alternate reaction of 1-[phenyl-14C]PCPA with MAO produces 7 equiv of [14C]acrylophenone during the course of irreversible inactivation and is believed to arise from formation of the same type of adduct as described above except that X is something other than the N5-flavin (Y). Upon denaturation of this labeled enzyme, the flavin is completely oxidized when most of the radioactivity is still bound to the enzyme. This indicates that Y is not a C4a-flavin adduct and suggests attachment to an active site amino acid residue. More facile elimination of Y from this beta-substituted propiophenone adduct would give acrylophenone on the time scale of the inactivation. Treatment of the reversible adduct with sodium borohydride prior to denaturation prevents release of radioactivity.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)     

Monoamine Oxidases A and B as Components of a Membrane Complex

Abstract: The activities of monoamine oxidase A (MAO A) and monoamine oxidase B (MAO B) represent two independent types of substrate binding site, as indicated by experiments with selective inhibitors and also by substrate competition. We have tried to determine whether A and B active sites of human brain and liver MAO are located on physically separable enzyme forms or as subunits in large membrane-bound complexes. MAO was extracted from several sources by a procedure that was designed to give solubilized enzyme in high-speed supernatants, with ratios of MAO A/MAO B activities similar to those in initial crude homogenates. This solubilized enzyme gave gel filtration profiles that suggested the presence of large molecular complexes. Affinity binding experiments indicated that both MAO A and B activities may occur on the same complexes in tissues that initially contain both activities. These complexes were broken down to enzymatically active subunits by treatment with either low concentrations of sodium dodecyl sulfate, with phospholipase A₂, or with a combination of both agents. Results of this study support a concept of MAO as part of a membrane unit in which A and B are two distinct enzymes embedded in a phospholipid structure. The enzymatic activity of MAO A is critically dependent on associated phospholipids, whereas that of MAO B is not.     

Structural and mechanistic studies of arylalkylhydrazine inhibition of human monoamine oxidases A and B

The structure and mechanism of human monoamine oxidase B (MAO B) inhibition by hydrazines are investigated and compared with data on human monoamine oxidase A (MAO A). The inhibition properties of phenylethylhydrazine, benzylhydrazine, and phenylhydrazine are compared for both enzymes. Benzylhydrazine is bound more tightly to MAO B than to MAO A, and phenylhydrazine is bound weakly by either enzyme. Phenylethylhydrazine stoichiometrically reduces the covalent FAD moieties of MAO A and of MAO B. Molecular oxygen is required for the inhibition reactions, and the level of O2 consumption for phenylethylhydrazine is 6-7-fold higher with either MAO A or MAO B than for the corresponding reactions with benzylhydrazine or phenylhydrazine. Mass spectral analysis of either inhibited enzyme shows the major product is a single covalent addition of the hydrazine arylalkyl group, although lower levels of dialkylated species are detected. Absorption and mass spectral data of the inhibited enzymes show that the FAD is the major site of alkylation. The three-dimensional (2.3 A) structures of phenylethylhydrazine- and benzylhydrazine-inhibited MAO B show that alkylation occurs at the N(5) position on the re face of the covalent flavin with loss of the hydrazyl nitrogens. A mechanistic scheme is proposed to account for these data, which involves enzyme-catalyzed conversion of the hydrazine to the diazene. From literature data on the reactivities of diazenes, O2 then reacts with the bound diazene to form an alkyl radical, N2 and superoxide anion. The bound arylalkyl radical reacts with the N(5) of the flavin, while the dissociated diazene reacts nonspecifically with the enzyme through arylalkylradicals.     

Structure of human monoamine oxidase B, a drug target for the treatment of neurological disorders.

Monoamine oxidase B (MAO B) is a mitochondrial outermembrane flavoenzyme that is a well-known target for antidepressant and neuroprotective drugs. We determined the structure of the human enzyme to 3 A resolution. The enzyme binds to the membrane through a C-terminal transmembrane helix and apolar loops located at various positions in the sequence. The electron density shows that pargyline, an analog of the clinically used MAO B inhibitor, deprenyl, binds covalently to the flavin N5 atom. The active site of MAO B consists of a 420 A(3)-hydrophobic substrate cavity interconnected to an entrance cavity of 290 A(3). The recognition site for the substrate amino group is an aromatic cage formed by Tyr 398 and Tyr 435. The structure provides a framework for probing the catalytic mechanism, understanding the differences between the B- and A-monoamine oxidase isoforms and designing specific inhibitors.     

Models of Monoamine Oxidase A and B Active Sites Obtained by using 3D QSAR with CoMFA Analysis

Abstract

The monoamine oxidase catalyses the oxidative deamination of neuroactive amines. This enzyme exists in two forms A and B, which differ by substrates preference and inhibitors specificity. Investigation of the structures of these enzymes and design new selective inhibitors are of greatly interesting since MAO A inhibitors are used in therapeutic practice as antidepressants and MAO B inhibitors – in the treatment Parkinson's diseases. The three dimension structures of monoamine oxidases are still unknown. Therefore, one of the most perspective approach to define significant features of structure active site is method based on analysis of structure-activity relationship (3D QSAR) with comparison of molecular fields analysis (CoMFA) allowing to get the spatial distribution of important properties affecting the activity.

In present study we investigate the structures of active sites MAO A and B using 16 pyrazinocarbazole derivatives in variant conformation. Majority of pyrazinocarbazole derivatives have a rigit conformation, but three of those is sufficiently flexible. The latters can be in two conformation types: long molecules (substitution accommodate along axis of main structure) and short molecules (substitution accommodate at acute angle about of main structure). Several 3D QSAR and CoMFA models of MAO A and B active sites were design for data sets containing various types of flexible molecules conformation. All obtained models are statistical reliable and have sufficient predictive power for tested compound tetrindole. The best MAO A model that include two flexible molecules in long conformations was obtained, and the longest one of those in short conformation. In contrast, for MAO B model containing all flexible molecules in the short conformations is more preferred.

On the basis of obtained data the schematic models of MAO A and B active sites structures are proposed. According to these models MAO A active site have the narrow long cavity that accommodate long molecules, while MAO B active site is broader and shorter.     

Interactions of imidazoline ligands with the active site of purified monoamine oxidase A

The two forms of monoamine oxidase, monoamine oxidase A and monoamine oxidase B, have been associated with imidazoline-binding sites (type 2). Imidazoline ligands saturate the imidazoline-binding sites at nanomolar concentrations, but inhibit monoamine oxidase activity only at micromolar concentrations, suggesting two different binding sites [Ozaita A, Olmos G, Boronat MA, Lizcano JM, Unzeta M & García-Sevilla JA (1997) Br J Pharmacol121, 901-912]. When purified human monoamine oxidase A was used to examine the interaction with the active site, inhibition by guanabenz, 2-(2-benzofuranyl)-2-imidazoline and idazoxan was competitive with kynuramine as substrate, giving K(i) values of 3 microM, 26 microM and 125 microM, respectively. Titration of monoamine oxidase A with imidazoline ligands induced spectral changes that were used to measure the binding affinities for guanabenz (19.3 +/- 3.9 microM) and 2-(2-benzofuranyl)-2-imidazoline (49 +/- 8 microM). Only one type of binding site was detected. Agmatine, a putative endogenous ligand for some imidazoline sites, reduced monoamine oxidase A under anaerobic conditions, indicating that it binds close to the flavin in the active site. Flexible docking studies revealed multiple orientations within the large active site, including orientations close to the flavin that would allow oxidation of agmatine.     

Mechanism of inhibition by chlorgyline and deprenyl of tyramine deamination by mitochondrial monoamine oxidase of rat liver

The inhibition by chlorgyline and deprenyl of deamination of tyramine, i. e. substrate of two forms of monoamine oxidase (MAO) A and B, by fragments of rat liver mitochondrial membrane and the effects of competitive reversible inhibitors of the MAO activity, e. g. 4-ethylpyridine, benzyl alcohol, O-benzyl-hydroxylamine and 2-oxyquinoline, on this process were studied. It was shown that all the inhibitors used sharply increase the inhibiting effect of chlorgyline on tyramine deamination, the degree of the stimulating effect being the same irrespective of whether the inhibitors are added to the samples before or after a 30-min preincubation of chlorgyline with the enzyme at 23 degrees, i. e. after the onset of irreversible inhibition. The stimulating effect is due to the independent action of two inhibitors on the two different sites of the MAO active center: chlorgyline--on the isoalloxazine ring of FAD, that of 4-ethylpyridine, benzyl alcohol, O-benzylhydroxylamine, 2-oxyquinoline, respectively, on the hydrophobic region involved in tyramine binding. In similar experiments with deprenyl all the competitive inhibitors used, when added to the samples after a 30-min incubation of the inhibitor with the enzyme at 23 degrees, remove the inhibiting effect of deprenyl on tyramine deamination. The decrease of the inhibiting effect of deprenyl is indicative of an existence of competitive interactions between deprenyl and the above-mentioned compounds and of the reversible inhibition by deprenyl of tyramine deamination under the given experimental conditions. The data obtained revealed the differences in the type and mechanism of action of chlorgyline and deprenyl on tyramine deamination and showed that these inhibitors act on different sites of the MAO active center, responsible for tyramine oxidation. Chlorgyline blocks primarily the "flavin moiety" of the MAO molecule, essential for the catalytic act, while the effect of deprenyl is directed to the hydrophobic part of the enzyme active center essential for the enzyme binding to tyramine. In this case the irreversible inhibiting effect is achieved at a slower rate and the reversibility of tyramine oxidation by deprenyl is maintained for a longer period of time than the chlorgyline inhibition of deamination of this amine.     

Studies of Pargyline-Monoamine Oxidase Binding Using a Spin Label Probe Analog

Abstract: Analogs of the monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitor pargyline with a nitroxide free radical moiety attached through an ether linkage to the para position on the benzene ring have been prepared and reacted with solubilized MAO preparations from rat and beef brain and pig liver. These compounds behave as normal irreversible inhibitors of catalytic activity, with some preference for B-type enzyme. When the reaction was monitored by electron spin resonance (ESR), line broadening effects indicative of binding and with an apparent relation to substrate specificity of the preparation were observed. In addition, there was a slow decrease in intensity of the ESR spectra, which could be retarded by the addition of other MAO inhibitors or increased O₂ and enhanced by flavin reduction. It appears to be related to development of the irreversible phase of MAO inhibition. Signal recovery with added O₂ and studies of a model reaction with free flavin, suggest the signal loss to be a line broadening effect due to interaction with an enzyme-generated paramagnetic species rather than to direct reduction of the nitroxide radical.     

Specific Irreversible Monoamine Oxidase B Inhibitors Stimulate Gene Expression of Aromatic L-Amino Acid Decarboxylase in PC12 Cells

The effect of some selective monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors on aromatic L-amino acid decarboxylase (AADC) gene expression in PC12 cells has been examined. Irreversible MAO B inhibitors [(-)-deprenyl, pargyline, and MDL 72,974A] stimulated AADC gene expression, whereas a selective irreversible MAO A inhibitor (clorgyline) and a reversible MAO B inhibitor (Ro 19-6327) had no effect. Because there is no apparent MAO B activity in PC12 cells, it is postulated that there is a novel site of action for these MAO B inhibitors and that the pharmacological profile of this site matches that of neuroprotective MAO B inhibitors. Finally, it is suggested that the stimulation of AADC gene expression may be relevant to the antiparkinsonian effects of MAO B inhibitors.     

Mutation of surface cysteine 374 to alanine in monoamine oxidase A alters substrate turnover and inactivation by cyclopropylamines

Modification of cysteine (Cys) residues inactivates monoamine oxidases (MAO) yet the crystal structure shows no conserved cysteines in the active site of MAO A (Ma, J. et al. J. Mol. Biol.2004, 338, 103-114). MAO A cysteine 374 was mutated to alanine and the purified enzyme characterized kinetically. The mutant was active but had decreased k(cat)/K(m) values compared to the wild-type enzyme. Cyclopropylamine-containing mechanism-based inactivators similarly showed lower turnover rates. Spectral studies and measurement of free thiols established that 1-phenylcyclopropylamine (1-PCPA) formed an irreversible flavin adduct whereas 2-phenylcyclopropylamine (2-PCPA) and N-cyclo-alpha-methylbenzylamine (N-CalphaMBA) formed adducts that allowed reoxidation of the flavin on denaturation and decreased cysteine in both wild-type and mutant MAO A. In the 1-PCPA and N-CalphaMBA inactivations, the partition ratio was decreased by more than 50% in the mutant. The data suggest that mutation of Cys374 influences MAO A catalysis, which has implications for MAO susceptibility to redox damage. These results are compared with previous work on the equivalent residue in MAO B, namely, cysteine 365.     

Structure-activity relations in the oxidation of phenethylamine analogues by recombinant human liver monoamine oxidase A

The interaction of recombinant human liver monoamine oxidase A (MAO A) with a series of phenethylamine substrate analogues has been investigated by steady-state and stopped-flow kinetic techniques. Substrate analogues with para substituents exhibit large deuterium kinetic isotope effect on k(cat), on k(cat)/K(m), and on the limiting rate of enzyme reduction in reductive half-reaction experiments. These kinetic isotope effect values range from 5 to 10 with the exception of tyramine, which exhibited smaller steady-state isotope effects (2.3-3.5) than that observed on the rate of flavin reduction (6.9). The stopped-flow data show that imine release from the reduced enzyme is slower than the rate of catalytic turnover. Phenethylamine oxidation by MAO A can be described as the C-H bond cleavage step being rate limiting in catalysis and with oxygen reacting with the reduced enzyme-imine complex. In the case of tyramine, the product release from the oxidized enzyme-imine complex contributes to the rate limitation in catalysis. The binding affinities of a series of para-substituted phenethylamine analogues to MAO A show an increase in affinity of the deprotonated amine with increasing van der Waals volume of the substituent. The limiting rate of enzyme reduction decreases with increasing van der Waals volume of the substituent in a linear manner with no observable electronic contribution as observed previously with benzylamine reduction of MAO A [Miller, J. R., and Edmondson, D. E. (1999) Biochemistry 38, 13670-13683]. Examination of side chain analogues of phenethylamine show 3-phenylpropylamine to be oxidized 2.5-fold more slowly and bound 75-fold more tightly than phenethylamine. 4-Phenylbutylamine is not a substrate for MAO A but is a good competitive inhibitor with a K(i) value of 31 +/- 5 microM. Analysis of the effect of alkyl side chain alterations on binding affinities of a series of arylalkylamine analogues taken from this study and from the literature show a linear correlation with the Taft steric value (E(s)) of the side chain. These results suggest that the binding site for the aryl ring is identical for phenethylamine and for benzylamine analogues and that steric interactions of the alkyl side chain with the enzyme strongly contribute to the binding affinities of a series of reversible inhibitors of MAO A.