The inhibition of human placental diamine oxidase by substrate analogues.

1. The oxidation of p-dimethylaminomethylbenzylamine by purified placental diamine oxidase was followed by measuring the change in E(250) caused by the production of p-dimethylaminomethylbenzaldehyde. 2. The inhibition of this reaction by substrate analogues such as isothiouronium, guanidinium, dimethylsulphonium and trimethylammonium compounds was extensively studied. 3. The type and degree of inhibition by mono- and bis-onium compounds is described, and a theory is developed to explain the type of inhibition produced.