Xanthine Oxidase (黄嘌呤氧化酶)

Xanthine oxidase (XO), a versatile molybdoflavoprotein, catalyzes the oxidative hydroxylation of purine substrates (hypoxanthine and xanthine) to produce uric acid and subsequent reduction of oxygen at the flavin center with the generation of reactive oxygen species, either superoxide anion radical or hydrogen peroxide.

Xanthine oxidase is an important enzyme of purine catabolism pathway and has been associated directly in pathogenesis of gout and indirectly in many pathological conditions like cancer, diabetes and metabolic syndrome. The selective inhibition of xanthine oxidase may result in a broad spectrum therapeutic use for gout, cancer, inflammation and oxidative damage.