Dependence of Periodic Activation and Inhibition of Monoaminoxidase by Aliphatic Compounds upon Chain-length

MONOAMINOXIDASE has been linked with vascular and mental activity 1,3 . Among the most ancient modifiers of mental status are the alcohols, which have been shown 4 to modify monoaminoxidase in vitro . During our endeavours to develop this correlation further, we encountered a puzzling periodic activation and inhibition of this enzyme. For five years, the postulation of a tenable explanation has escaped not only our own interpretative capacities, but also those of the recognized specialists whom we have consulted. The recent studies of aliphatic compounds which have accompanied the discovery of irin 5 have provided our experiments with added interest : it now seems possible that enzymatic modification by aliphatic compounds might constitute a regulatory mechanism in the contraction of smooth muscle.