# PROPERTIES OF AORTIC LYSYL OXIDASE

> **NIH NIH R01** · BOSTON UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CAMPUS · 1988 · $160,874

## Abstract

Lysyl oxidase plays a critical role in the maturation of elastin and collagen of
connective tissues by oxidizing peptidyl lysine in these proteins to peptidyl
alpha-amino-adipic-gamma-semialdehyde, the reactive precursor to crosslinkages
in these proteins.  This project proposes to probe the structural and catalytic
properties of this enzyme in order to more fully understand the important
biological function of this enzyme in normal and pathological states of
connective tissue.  Using the highly purified protein, the basis of the
multiplicity of forms of lysyl oxidase found in connective tissues will be
explored by peptide mapping, primary sequence studies, and reactivity with
specfic antisera prepared against each enzyme species.  The reaction of enzyme
with tropoelastin a soluble form of elastin, and the ability of enzyme to
oxidize tropoelastin and synthetic peptides resembling tropoelastin will be
investigated, assessing the affect of coacervation of these peptides and
tropoelastin on their substrate potential.  The chemical nature of an organic
cofactor of the enzyme with carbonyl reactivity will be studied and its possible
role in the mechanism of the enzyme will be investigated.
We will further refine the totally synthetic assay for lysyl oxidase we have
developed for potential clinical and experimental use and utilize this assay to
probe the stereochemistry of the active site and mechanism of inhibition by
amines.  The cellular site of action of lysyl oxidase will also be investigated.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 3155006
- **Project number:** 5R01AR018880-12
- **Recipient organization:** BOSTON UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CAMPUS
- **SAM.gov UEI:** FBYMGMHW4X95
- **Principal Investigator:** Herbert Marcus Kagan
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 1988
- **Award amount:** $160,874
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 1976-06-20 → 1988-11-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/3155006

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 3155006, PROPERTIES OF AORTIC LYSYL OXIDASE (5R01AR018880-12). Retrieved via MORVS 2026-10-25 from https://api.morvs.ai/grant/nih/3155006. Licensed CC0.

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