LOXL2

Lysyl oxidase homolog 2 is also known as LOXL2, Lysyl oxidase-like protein 2, which is expressed in many tissues, highest expression in reproductive tissues, placenta, uterus and prostate, Up-regulated in a number of cancers cells and tissues. LOXL2 mediates the post-translational oxidative deamination of lysine residues on target proteins leading to the formation of deaminated lysine (allysine). When secreted in extracellular matrix, promotes cross-linking of extracellular matrix proteins by mediating oxidative deamination of peptidyl lysine residues in precursors to fibrous collagen and elastin. LOXL2 acts as a regulator of sprouting angiogenesis, probably via collagen IV scaffolding. When nuclear, acts as a transcription corepressor and specifically mediates deamination of trimethylated 'Lys-4' of histone H3 (H3K4me3), a specific tag for epigenetic transcriptional activation. LOXL2 acts as a regulator of chondrocyte differentiation, probably by regulating expression of factors that control chondrocyte differentiation.