Cloning and Expression of the Oxalyl-CoA Decarboxylase Gene From the Bacterium, Oxalobacter formigenes: Prospects for Gene Therapy to Control Ca-Oxalate Kidney Stone Formation
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Abstract
Evidence suggests that the formation of calcium-oxalate stones in the urine is dependent
on the saturation levels of both calcium and oxalate; thus, management of one or both
of these ions in individuals susceptible to urolithiasis appears important. Since
there are no known naturally occurring enzymes in vertebrates capable of degrading
oxalate, we have initiated a study to insert a plant-derived oxalate degrading enzyme
gene into human cells as a means of lowering plasma and urinary oxalate concentrations.
We present here the cloning of the oxalyl-CoA decarboxylase gene from the bacterium
Oxalobacter formigenes and its subsequent expression in a foreign environment. These
results provide the basis for eventual transfer of an oxalate decarboxylase gene into
mammalian cells.