Copper-containing oxidases

Major advances have been made during 1 997 and 1998 toward understanding the structure/function relationships of the active sites in copper-containing oxidases. Central to this progress has been the elucidation of crystal structures for many of these enzymes. For example, studies of the mechanisms of biogenesis and/or catalysis of amine oxidase and galactose oxidase have been both stimulated and directed by the availability of stuctures for these proteins. Similarly, it is anticipated that the recently published crystal structures of peptidylglycine alpha-hydroxylating monooxygenase and laccase will contribute greatly toward understanding the roles of copper in these two proteins.