Monoamine oxidase: distribution in the cat brain studied by enzyme- and immunohistochemistry: recent progress.

Localization of MAO-containing neurons, fibers and glial cells has been described by recent progress in MAO histochemistry and immunohistochemistry. It does not necessarily correspond to those containing monoamines. MAO-A is demonstrated in many noradrenergic cells, but it is hardly detectable in DA cells. Increase of 5-HT and DA concentration after inhibition of MAO-A indicates the possible existence of MAO-A in such neuronal structures. MAO-A is also undetectable in neurons containing 5-HT, a good substrate for MAO-A. These neurons contain MAO-B. There still remain contradictions to be solved in future. MAO is present in astroglial cells, in which monoamines released in extracellular space may be degraded. In glial cells, MAO may also play a role to regulate concentration of telemethylhistamine and trace amines. Such cells appear to transform MPTP to MPP+, a neurotoxin for nigral DA neurons.