title: Heterogeneity in plasminogen activator (PA) levels in human prostate cancer cell lines: increased PA activity correlates with biologically aggressive behavior.
abstract: Plasminogen activators (PA), particularly the lower Mr urokinase (u-PA) type, have been associated with tumor cell invasion and metastasis. We have examined the expression of PA by two human prostate cancer cell lines (PC-3 and DU-145) using functional and immunologic techniques. The culture media and cell extracts of the more aggressive PC-3 cell line contained more than two-fold greater PA activity than the relatively indolent DU-145 cell line. Zymographic studies identified the PA expressed as u-PA. PC-3 cells expressed an additional lower molecular weight form of u-PA not noted in DU-145 cells. Heterogeneity in u-PA expression was shown by the fibrin lysis assay, immunohistochemistry, and dual parameter flow cytometry indicating the presence of phenotypically divergent cell populations. Increased u-PA expression may identify those tumor cells that possess aggressive biological potential.
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, Northwestern University Medical School, Chicago, IL.
authors.forename: H N
authors.initials: HN
authors.lastname: Keer
authors.forename: F D
authors.initials: FD
authors.lastname: Gaylis
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Kozlowski
authors.forename: H C
authors.initials: HC
authors.lastname: Kwaan
authors.forename: K D
authors.initials: KD
authors.lastname: Bauer
authors.forename: A A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Sinha
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Wilson
mesh_terms: D005434:Flow Cytometry; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008297:Male; D009361:Neoplasm Invasiveness; D009362:Neoplasm Metastasis; D010960:Plasminogen Activators / Q000032:analysis*; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000473:pathology; D014407:Tumor Cells, Cultured; D014568:Urokinase-Type Plasminogen Activator / Q000032:analysis
chemical_list: D010960:Plasminogen Activators; D014568:Urokinase-Type Plasminogen Activator