PEG-Urate Oxidase Conjugates and Use Thereof
A naturally occurring or recombinant urate oxidase (uricase) covalently coupled to poly(ethylene glycol) or poly(ethylene oxide) (both referred to as PEG), wherein an average of 2 to 10 strands of PEG are conjugated to each uricase subunit and the PEG has an average molecular weight between about 5 kDa and 100 kDa. The resulting PEG-uricase conjugates are substantially non-immunogenic and retain at least 75% of the uricolytic activity of the unmodified enzyme.
1 - 41 . (canceled)
42 . An isolated tetrameric mammalian uricase, wherein said tetrameric uricase is substantially free of uricase aggregates.
43 . The isolated tetrameric uricase of claim 42 , wherein the uricase is a porcine liver, a bovine liver or an ovine liver uricase.
44 . The isolated tetrameric uricase of claim 42 , wherein the uricase is recombinant.
45 . The isolated tetrameric uricase of claim 44 , wherein the uricase has substantially the sequence of a porcine, a bovine, an ovine or a baboon liver uricase.