Purification and properties of urate oxidase from Streptomyces cyanogenus

Urate oxidase [EC 1.7.3.3] was purified to homogeneity from cell-free extracts of a strain of Streptomyces cyanogenus. The enzyme had a molecular weight of 100,000 and consisted of three subunits each with a molecular weight of 32,000. The isoelectric point was at pH 4.0. No evidence was found for the involvement of copper, iron or coenzymes in the urate oxidase reaction. The enzyme was most active at pH 8 and at 35 degrees C, and was stable between pH 6 and 11 (35 degrees C, 1 h) and below 50 degrees C (pH 7.8, 10 min). The enzyme was inhibited by cyanide and sulfhydryl reagents, but only slightly by heavy metal ions and chelating agents. The activity was inhibited by xanthine and 2-hydroxypurine. The enzyme was found not to be inhibited by high concentrations of uric acid when the activity was assayed in terms of hydrogen peroxide formation. Urea and racemic allantoin were formed from uric acid by the enzyme reaction in phosphate buffer, and urea and other ninhydrin-positive materials in borate buffer.