L-Amino acid oxidases from microbial sources: types, properties, functions, and applications

L-Amino acid oxidases (LAAOs), which catalyze the stereospecific oxidative deamination of L-amino acids to alpha-keto acids and ammonia, are flavin adenine dinucleotide-containing homodimeric proteins. L-Amino acid oxidases are widely distributed in diverse organisms and have a range of properties. Because expressing LAAOs as recombinant proteins in heterologous hosts is difficult, their biotechnological applications have not been thoroughly advanced. LAAOs are thought to contribute to amino acid catabolism, enhance iron acquisition, display antimicrobial activity, and catalyze keto acid production, among other roles. Here, we review the types, properties, structures, biological functions, heterologous expression, and applications of LAAOs obtained from microbial sources. We expect this review to increase interest in LAAO studies.