uricasa
Uricase, also known as uric acid oxidase, is an enzyme that catalyzes the oxidation of uric acid into allantoin. This reaction is a crucial step in the catabolism of purines in many organisms, including most mammals. However, humans and some other primates lack a functional uricasa enzyme due to genetic mutations. In these species, uric acid is the final product of purine breakdown and can accumulate in the blood, potentially leading to conditions like gout if levels become too high.
The uricasa enzyme is a member of the oxidase family and typically contains a flavin adenine dinucleotide
The absence of functional uricasa in humans has led to the development of therapeutic uricasa enzymes, often