title: Urokinase/urokinase receptor system: internalization/degradation of urokinase-serpin complexes: mechanism and regulation.
abstract: The urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPA) is secreted as a single-chain inactive zymogen (pro-uPA). Upon its secretion, pro-uPA binds to its glycosylphosphatidylinositol-anchored specific cell receptor (uPAR). The activation of pro-uPA to the active two-chain uPA is accelerated with uPAR-bound pro-uPA and is achieved by plasmin and proteases of other classes like cathepsins G and L. uPAR-bound uPA is susceptible to inhibition by its specific inhibitors (PAI-1, PAI-2, and PN-1). uPA-PAI-1 and uPA-PN-1 complexes, but not free uPA, are readily internalized and degraded through a mechanism that involves the multiligand receptors alpha 2-macroglobulin receptor/low density lipoprotein receptor-associated protein (alpha 2-MR) and epithelial glycoprotein 330 (gp330). Upon uPA-inhibitor internalization, uPAR is itself endocytosed and recycled back to the cell surface. PMA-induced differentiation of myeloid cells is accompanied by inhibition of uPA-PAI-1 internalization/degradation and the down-regulation of alpha 2-MR. The regulation of uPAR and alpha 2-MR levels might be part of the differentiation program of myeloid cells.
authors.affiliation: Department of Genetics and Microbial Biology, University of Milano, Italy.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Conese
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Blasi
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D006801:Humans; D010960:Plasminogen Activators / Q000378:metabolism; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000378:metabolism*; D055293:Receptors, Urokinase Plasminogen Activator; D015843:Serpins / Q000378:metabolism*; D014568:Urokinase-Type Plasminogen Activator / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: C524898:PLAUR protein, human; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface; D055293:Receptors, Urokinase Plasminogen Activator; D015843:Serpins; D010960:Plasminogen Activators; D014568:Urokinase-Type Plasminogen Activator