Iron modulates the activity of monoamine oxidase B in SH-SY5Y cells

• DOI: 10.1007/s10534-017-0030-1
• Publication Date: 2017-06-30T12:12:07Z
• Authors: Huiru Lu; Jun Chen; Hui Huang; Mengxue Zhou; Qing Zhu; Shao Q. Yao; Zhifang Chai; Yi Hu
• Keywords: Monoamine oxidase B; SH-SY5Y; Pargyline; Monoamine oxidase A

Both monoamine oxidase B (MAO-B) and iron accumulation are associated with neurologic diseases including Parkinson's disease. However, the association of iron with MAO-B activity was poorly understood. Here we took advantage of highly sensitive and specific fluorescence probes to examine the change in MAO-B activity in human dopaminergic neuroblastoma (SH-SY5Y) cells upon iron exposure. Both ferric and ferrous ions could significantly enhance the activity of MAO-B, instead of MAO-A, in SH-SY5Y cells. In addition, iron-induced increase in MAO-B probe fluorescence could be prevented by pargyline and other newly developed MAO-B inhibitors, suggesting that it was MAO-B activity-dependent. These findings may suggest MAO-B is an important sensor in iron-stressed neuronal cells.