The urokinase receptor and the regulation of cell proliferation.
The urokinase receptor is a multifunctional receptor modulating both proteolytic dependent and independent processes. It binds the extracellular proteolytic enzyme urokinase and engages lateral interactions with several transmembrane receptors, including integrins and the EGFR. Both, by initiating a proteolytic cascade acting on the extracellular matrix components, and by regulating the activity of important signal transducers, uPAR participates not only in the modulation of cell-cell and cell-extracellular matrix interactions, but also in the control of extracellular signals determining the proliferative state of a cell. Alteration of such a complex and finely modulated mechanism results in unregulated cell proliferation and altered tissue organization, typically associated with tumor progression.
Mazzieri
Roberta
R
Università Vita-Salute San Raffaele, Via Olgettina 60, 20132 Milan, Italy.
Blasi
Francesco
F
D000818:Animals; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D005109:Extracellular Matrix / Q000378:metabolism; D006133:Growth Substances / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D051379:Mice; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface / Q000502:physiology*; D055293:Receptors, Urokinase Plasminogen Activator; D015398:Signal Transduction; D014568:Urokinase-Type Plasminogen Activator / Q000502:physiology
D006133:Growth Substances; C524898:PLAUR protein, human; C524899:Plaur protein, mouse; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface; D055293:Receptors, Urokinase Plasminogen Activator; D014568:Urokinase-Type Plasminogen Activator