Role of Monoamine oxidase A (MAO-A) in cancer progression and metastasis

Monoamine oxidase A (MAO-A) is a flavoenzyme that catalyzes biogenic amines into the corresponding aldehydes by oxidative deamination. Although MAO-A is primarily associated with depression and antisocial behaviour, dysregulation of MAO-A has been associated with neurodegenerative diseases and cardiovascular disorders. Moreover, the contribution of MAO-A in the resolution of inflammation is well established. Recent reports reveal the unanticipated role of MAO-A in tumorigenesis. In this review we provide informations that MAO-A is involved in the progression and metastasis of many different cancer cells including prostate cancer, colorectal cancer, hepatocellular carcinoma and lung cancer. We further discuss the regulatory mechanisms that control tumorigenesis, progression and metastasis in these different type of cancer cells. Altogether these informations indicate that MAO-A can be a general therapeutic target in cancer treatment.