Urate Oxidase
From Proteopedia
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<applet load='3bk8' size='300' frame='true' align='right' caption='Urate oxidase' /> | <applet load='3bk8' size='300' frame='true' align='right' caption='Urate oxidase' /> | ||
Revision as of 19:57, 11 March 2010
Contents |
Urate Oxidase
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Introduction
Urate oxidase (3bk8) is an enzyme belonging to the purine degradation pathway, whose function is to prevent build-up of uric acid in the blood by catalyzing the oxidation of uric acid by molecular oxygen, producing 5-hydroxyisourate and hydrogen peroxide. This enzyme is found in many organisms, but not found in higher apes and humans. It has been suggested that this may be an evolutionary advantage, as uric acid is a strong anti-oxidant. This leads to the presence of fewer free radicals and therefore fewer instances of cancer as a result of aging. The lack of urate oxidase does, however, result in elevated levels of uric acid in the plasma, which can be fatal. Urate oxidase was first isolated from the fungus Aspergillus flavus, but is now expressed in Saccharomyces cerevisiae for research and medical purposes.
Structure
Function
Medical Implications
References
<tr><td>Please do NOT make changes to this Sandbox until after April 23, 2010. Sandboxes 151-200 are reserved until then for use by the Chemistry 307 class at UNBC taught by Prof. Andrea Gorrell.</td></tr> Sonja Senekovic
Proteopedia Page Contributors and Editors (what is this?)
Sonja Senekovic, Michal Harel, Alexander Berchansky, David Canner, Andrea Gorrell, Joel L. Sussman