Uricase Activity of Halophilic Bacteria from Iranian Salt Lakes

Higher plants and microorganisms produce uricase that oxidizes uric acid to allantoin. The lack of uricase in higher primates and humans causes uric acid accumulation. Today, the uricase treatment of hyperuricemia has been considered as a remedy. Uricases vary slightly in their origins and structures. Halophilic bacteria synthesize uricase with acidic amino acids at the surface. Fifty-eight halophilic strains isolated from Iranian saline lakes were screened for uricase production. The bacteria were cultured on a medium containing 5