Uricase Assay Kit (Fluorometric)

Supplementary info

This supplementary information is collated from multiple sources and compiled automatically.

Activity summary

Uricase also known as urate oxidase is an enzyme with a mass of approximately 37 kDa. This enzyme catalyzes the conversion of uric acid to allantoin carbon dioxide and hydrogen peroxide facilitating the degradation of uric acid. Uricase is found in the liver of many animals including primates and some rodents. However humans and great apes lack functional uricase due to a genetic mutation that occurred during evolution which might contribute to higher uric acid levels in their systems.

Biological function summary

In species with active uricase the enzyme plays a role in regulating uric acid levels by breaking down excess uric acid which is a byproduct of purine metabolism. Uricase operates as a homotetramer complex where four identical subunits work together to execute its enzymatic function efficiently. The enzyme is key in preventing the accumulation of uric acid which could otherwise form crystals leading to potential health complications.

Pathways

Uricase functions within the purine catabolic pathway. The enzyme ensures the smooth degradation of purine with its activity linking it to various other enzymes involved in the breakdown of nucleotides. This enzyme's activity is associated with other proteins like xanthine oxidase and adenine deaminase which also contribute to purine metabolism. Although humans lack uricase these pathways are important for managing purine levels and their end-products impacting overall metabolic balance.

Associated diseases and disorders

The absence of uricase in humans plays a role in conditions like gout and hyperuricemia which are characterized by elevated uric acid levels and crystal formation in joints and tissues. Uricase's deficiency means humans rely more on related proteins like xanthine oxidase for purine metabolism potentially leading to less efficient processing of uric acid. Therapies often involve uricase from other species or drugs like allopurinol which inhibit xanthine oxidase to manage these diseases by reducing uric acid concentration in the body.