title: LOXL2 catalytically inactive mutants mediate epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition.
abstract: Lysyl-oxidase-like 2 (LOXL2) is a member of the lysyl oxidase family that catalyzes the cross-linking of collagens or elastins in the extracellular matrix, thus regulating the tensile strength of tissues. However, many reports have suggested different intracellular roles for LOXL2, including the ability to regulate gene transcription and tumor progression. We previously reported that LOXL2 mediates epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) by Snail1-dependent and independent mechanisms, related to E-cadherin silencing and downregulation of epidermal differentiation and cell polarity components, respectively. Whether or not the catalytic activity of LOXL2 is required to induce/sustain EMT is actually unknown. Here we show that LOXL2 catalytic inactive mutants collaborate with Snail1 in E-cadherin gene repression to trigger EMT and, in addition, promote FAK/Src pathway activation to support EMT. These findings reveal a non-conventional role of LOXL2 on regulating epithelial cell plasticity.
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Bioquímica, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid (UAM), Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas "Alberto Sols" (CSIC-UAM), IdiPAZ, 28029 Madrid, Spain.
authors.forename: Eva P
authors.initials: EP
authors.lastname: Cuevas
authors.forename: Gema
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Moreno-Bueno
authors.forename: Giacomo
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Canesin
authors.forename: Vanesa
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Santos
authors.forename: Francisco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Portillo
authors.forename: Amparo
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Cano
keywords: EMT; FAK; LOXL2; Lysyl oxidase; Src