A new role for LOX and LOXL2 proteins in transcription regulation

The lysyl oxidase (LOX) family of proteins (LOX and LOXL1-LOXL4) oxidize amino groups located in the ε-position in lysines to generate an aldehyde group. In general, they are considered as extracellular proteins and have elastin and collagen as their main substrates. However, recent findings suggest a critical intracellular role for LOX and LOXL2 in transcriptional regulation. In this review, we highlight what is known about the transcriptional role of these two members of the family. Intriguingly, both the intracellular localization of these proteins and the fact that histones have been revealed to be their substrates place this family of proteins within the epigenetic field.