A uricase-producing bacterium was isolated from soil with a medium containing uric acid as the only carbon source. Based on its morphological and physiological characteristics, as well as 16S rDNA sequence and phylogenetic tree analysis, this new isolate belong to the genus Microbacterium. After heat treatment at 70 degrees C for 30 min, the uricase retained about 100% of the initial activity. The enzyme activity remained largely unchanged when it was stored in borate buffer at pH 8.5 at 37 degrees C for 40 days. The effects of different factors on the enzyme production were studied. Maize milk was the best C and N resources, and the uric acid showed to be an inducer for uricase production. When the strain was cultured at 30 degrees C at pH 7.5 for 30-36 h, the uricase activity peaked at 1.0 U/ml. (c) 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.