This gene encodes a member of the lysyl oxidase gene family. The prototypic member of the family is essential to the biogenesis of connective tissue, encoding an extracellular copper-dependent amine oxidase that catalyses the first step in the formation of crosslinks in collagens and elastin. A highly conserved amino acid sequence at the C-terminus end appears to be sufficient for amine oxidase activity, suggesting that each family member may retain this function. The N-terminus is poorly conserved and may impart additional roles in developmental regulation, senescence, tumor suppression, cell growth control, and chemotaxis to each member of the family. [provided by RefSeq, Jul 2008].
Sebban, Golan-Gerstl, Karni, Vaksman, Davidson, Reich: "Alternatively spliced lysyl oxidase-like 4 isoforms have a pro-metastatic role in cancer." in: Clinical & experimental metastasis, Vol. 30, Issue 1, pp. 103-17, (2013) (PubMed).
Sebban, Davidson, Reich: "Lysyl oxidase-like 4 is alternatively spliced in an anatomic site-specific manner in tumors involving the serosal cavities." in: Virchows Archiv : an international journal of pathology, Vol. 454, Issue 1, pp. 71-9, (2008) (PubMed).