Copper-containing oxidases

Major advances have been made during 1 997 and 1998 toward understanding th e structure/function relationships of the active sites in copper-containing oxidases. Central to this progress has been the elucidation of crystal str uctures for many of these enzymes. For example, studies of the mechanisms o f biogenesis and/or catalysis of amine oxidase and galactose oxidase have b een 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 laccas e will contribute greatly toward understanding the roles of copper in these two proteins.