Lysyl Oxidase/LOX Proteins and Enzymes

Lysyl oxidase (LOX), a copper-containing amine oxidase, belongs to a heterogeneous family of enzymes that oxidize primary amine substrates to reactive aldehydes. LOX plays a vital role in the formation and repair of the extracellular matrix. In addition, LOX is a multifunctional enzyme having diverse biological functions such as developmental regulation, tumor suppression, cell motility, and cellular senescence. The secreted form of LOX is responsible for the invasive properties of hypoxic human cancer cells. Thus, Lysyl oxidase is essential for hypoxia-induced metastasis and is a good therapeutic target for preventing and treating metastases.