The urokinase plasminogen activator and its receptor (original) (raw)

Thromb Haemost 2005; 93(02): 205-211
DOI: 10.1160/TH04-09-0592

Schattauer GmbH

Role in cell growth and apoptosis

Daniela Alfano

1Institute of Genetics and Biophysics “Adriano Buzzati-Traverso”, CNR, Naples, Italy

Paola Franco

1Institute of Genetics and Biophysics “Adriano Buzzati-Traverso”, CNR, Naples, Italy

,

Immacolata Vocca

1Institute of Genetics and Biophysics “Adriano Buzzati-Traverso”, CNR, Naples, Italy

,

Nadia Gambi

1Institute of Genetics and Biophysics “Adriano Buzzati-Traverso”, CNR, Naples, Italy

,

Viviana Pisa

1Institute of Genetics and Biophysics “Adriano Buzzati-Traverso”, CNR, Naples, Italy

,

Alessandro Mancini

2Department of Medical-Surgical, Cardiological, Respiratory, and Thoracic Sciences, Second University of Naples, Naples, Italy

,

Mario Caputi

2Department of Medical-Surgical, Cardiological, Respiratory, and Thoracic Sciences, Second University of Naples, Naples, Italy

,

Maria Vincenza Carriero

1Institute of Genetics and Biophysics “Adriano Buzzati-Traverso”, CNR, Naples, Italy

3National Cancer Institute of Naples, Naples, Italy

,

Ingram Iaccarino

1Institute of Genetics and Biophysics “Adriano Buzzati-Traverso”, CNR, Naples, Italy

,

Maria Patrizia Stoppelli

1Institute of Genetics and Biophysics “Adriano Buzzati-Traverso”, CNR, Naples, Italy

› Author AffiliationsFinancial support: The support of Italian Association for Cancer Research (AIRC), MURST Project L.488/92 and European Union Framework Programme 6 (LSHC-CT-2003–503297) is gratefully acknowledged

Further Information

Publication History

Received 14 September 2004

Accepted after revision 25 January 2004

Publication Date:
11 December 2017 (online)

Summary

The urinary-type plasminogen activator, or uPA, controls matrix degradation through the conversion of plasminogen into plasmin and is regarded as the critical trigger for plasmin generation during cell migration and invasion, under physiological and pathological conditions (such as cancer metastasis).The proteolytic activity of uPA is responsible for the activation or release of several growth factors and modulates the cell survival/apoptosis ratio through the dynamic control of cell-matrix contacts. The urokinase receptor (uPAR), binding to the EGF-like domain of uPA, directs membrane-associated extracellular proteolysis and signals through transmembrane proteins, thus regulating cell migration, adhesion and cytoskeletal status. However, recent evidence highlights an intricate relationship linking the uPA/uPAR system to cell growth and apoptosis.

Keywords

Urokinase - urokinase receptor - cell proliferation - tumour progression - apoptosis