title: Characterization and function of human Ly-6/uPAR molecules.
abstract: Human Ly-6/uPAR molecules are a superfamily composed of two subfamilies; one is the membrane bound proteins with a GPI-anchor and the other are secreted proteins without the GPI-anchor. Ly-6/uPAR molecules have remarkable amino acid homology through a distinctive 8-10 cysteine-rich domain that is associated predominantly with O-linked glycans. These molecules are encoded by multiple tightly linked genes located on Chr. 8q23, and have a conserved genomic organization. Ly-6/uPAR molecules have an interesting expression pattern during hematopoiesis and on specific tumors indicating that Ly-6/uPAR molecules are associated with development of the immune system and carcinogenesis. Thus, Ly-6/uPAR molecules are useful antigens for diagnostic and therapeutic targets. This review summarizes our understanding of human Ly-6/ uPAR molecules with regard to molecular structure as well as what is known about their function in normal and malignant tissues and suggest Ly-6/uPAR molecules as target antigens for cancer immunotherapy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biological Science, Sookmyung Women's University, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Hyun Kyung
authors.initials: HK
authors.lastname: Kong
authors.forename: Jong Hoon
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Park
mesh_terms: D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000818:Animals; D000950:Antigens, Ly / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D017386:Sequence Homology, Amino Acid; D014568:Urokinase-Type Plasminogen Activator / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D000950:Antigens, Ly; D014568:Urokinase-Type Plasminogen Activator