Lysyl oxidases in mammalian development and certain pathological conditions

Joni M. Mäki

Oulu Centre for Cell-Matrix Research, Biocenter Oulu and Department of Medical Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland.

Offprint requests to: Joni M. Mäki, Oulu Centre for Cell-Matrix Research, Biocenter Oulu and Department of Medical Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Oulu, P.O. Box 5000, 90014 Oulu, Finland. e-mail: joni.maki@oulu.fi


Summary. Lysyl oxidase (LOX) catalyzes the oxidation of the side chain of a peptidyl lysine converting specific lysine and hydroxylysine residues of α-aminoadipic-δ-semialdehydes, which form covalent crosslinks in collagens and elastin. Five different but closely related lysyl oxidase isoenzymes have been identified to date, and they seem to have overlapping functions in many tissues. Modification of the extracellular matrix by lysyl oxidases has been shown to be a critical contributor to the development of various organs and certain pathological conditions. Histol Histopathol 24, 651-660 (2009)

Key words: LOX, Copper enzyme, Branching morphogenesis, Aneurysm

DOI: 10.14670/HH-24.651