Objective: Analysis of sequence conservation and structural organization of mammalian genes encoding copper-containing amine oxidases (CAO).
Methods: Sequences of previously characterized genes encoding CAO proteins were used to identify homologous mammalian genes in the NCBI genome sequence databases and to analyze sequence and structural conservation of these genes.
Results: Mammals possess four AOC genes encoding diamine oxidase (AOC1), retina-specific amine oxidase (AOC2), vascular adhesion protein-1 (AOC3), and serum amine oxidase (AOC4), with a defective AOC4 gene present in humans, mice, and rats. In addition to the common structure of all AOC genes, there is a high degree of interspecies sequence conservation for each of the four genes.
Conclusions: Sequence and structural conservation of mammalian AOC genes implies a common evolutionary origin and functional diversification after gene duplication events.