Reversible inactivation of an intracellular uricase from bacillus fastidiosus via dissociation of homotetramer into homodimers in solutions of low ionic strength

Abstract

An intracellular uricase from Bacillus fastidiosus with high catalytic capacity and strong resistance to xanthine was inactivated in water but could be essentially reactivated in solutions of high ionic strength. By poly- acrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE), gradient PAGE, sodium-dodecyl-sulfate- PAGE, gel-filtration through Sephadex G200, and activity staining with peroxidase and its chromatogenic substrate, this homotetrameric uricase in water was found to dissociate into inactive homodimers that could form active homotetramers again in solutions of high ionic strength. Sensitivity to low ionic strength of solutions complicates formulation of this uricase as a drug and its elimination requires protein engineering.