Step 1: The question targets the fundamental metabolic defect behind gout rather than its clinical complications.
Step 2: Gout arises when purine breakdown is faulty because of a missing enzyme in the purine pathway, so purines are not fully processed for renal excretion and uric acid builds up.
Step 3: This enzymatic shortfall raises serum urate, and urate crystals then precipitate in joints to cause the painful attacks.
Step 4: Stone formation, raised serum urate, and interstitial nephropathy are downstream effects, while the enzyme deficiency in purine metabolism is the core cause per this recall key.
\[\boxed{\text{Deficiency of enzyme in purine metabolism}}\]