Serotonin Degradation by Homogenates of Tissues from Heloderma horridum, the Mexican Beaded Lizard

IN a previous report 1 , the finding of serotonin and of amine oxidase activity in the venom of Heloderma horridum was recorded. The purpose of this communication is to present results of studies which demonstrate that tissue homogenates of selected organs from two animals of this species degrade serotonin readily in an in vitro test system. In addition, the findings with respect to efforts to inhibit this activity with various compounds will be noted.