Description
Lysyl oxidase homolog 2, also known as Lysyl oxidase-like protein 2, Lysyl oxidase-related protein 2, Lysyl oxidase-related protein WS9-14 and LOXL2, is a secreted protein that belongs to the lysyl oxidase family. LOXL2 contains four SRCR domains. The lysyl oxidase family is made up of five members: lysyl oxidase (LOX) and lysyl oxidase-like 1-4 ( LOXL1, LOXL2, LOXL3, LOXL4 ). All members share conserved C-terminal catalytic domains that provide for lysyl oxidase or lysyl oxidase-like enzyme activity; and more divergent propeptide regions. LOX family enzyme activities catalyze the final enzymatic conversion required for the formation of normal biosynthetic collagen and elastin cross-links. LOXL2 is expressed by pre-hypertrophic and hypertrophic chondrocytes in vivo, and that LOXL2 expression is regulated in vitro as a function of chondrocyte differentiation. LOXL2 promotes chondrocyte differentiation by mechanisms that are likely to include roles as both a regulator and an effector of chondrocyte differentiation. LOXL2 expression could also be explored as a molecular target in the prevention of breast cancer progression