Human UOX ELISA Kit

Human UOX (Urate Oxidase), also known as uricase, is an enzyme involved in purine metabolism that catalyzes the oxidation of uric acid to allantoin. However, in humans, the UOX gene has been inactivated by mutations during evolution, making it a pseudogene that does not produce a functional protein. As a result, humans lack endogenous uricase activity and cannot further degrade uric acid into the more soluble allantoin. This evolutionary loss leads to higher serum uric acid levels in humans compared to most other mammals, increasing the risk of hyperuricemia and gout. Although the human UOX gene is non-functional, recombinant uricase enzymes derived from other species, such as porcine or Candida utilis, have been developed as therapeutic agents. These exogenous uricases are used to treat severe or refractory hyperuricemia, including tumor lysis syndrome. Consequently, while human UOX itself is not expressed as an active protein, its genetic remnant has significant clinical and evolutionary implications.