Bone phenotype of lysyl oxidase isoform knockout mice & in vitro expression of lysyl oxidase proenzyme (II)

Abstract

Lysyl oxidases constitute a family of enzymes responsible for the formation of crosslinks in collagen and elastin. These enzymes have also been linked to pathological fibrosis. The importance of collagen in the structural and mechanical properties of bone led us to investigate the hypothesis that the absence of one or more of these enzymes could lead to a significant bone phenotype. This phenotype could resemble osteoporosis or diabetic bone disease. In addition, we tried to overexpress lysyl oxidase proenzyme in vitro. The ability to produce enough amounts of lysyl oxidase proenzyme and the ability to process it and activate it could facilitate the development of drugs that control its activity in pathological fibrosis. [TRUNCATED]