Urokinase
Urokinase (also known as urokinase-type plasminogen activator, uPA) is a serine protease that catalyzes the conversion of plasminogen to plasmin. uPA interacts with a cell surface receptor known as the urokinase receptor (uPAR) to restrict plasminogen activation.
Urokinase Inhibitors |
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|---|---|
| Cat. No. | Product Name / Activity |
| 0890 | Amiloride hydrochloride |
| Urokinase-type plasminogen activator (UPA) inhibitor | |
| 4372 | BC 11 hydrobromide |
| Selective urokinase (uPA) inhibitor | |
| 0442 | 4-Chlorophenylguanidine hydrochloride |
| Urokinase inhibitor | |
Urokinase (also known as urokinase-type plasminogen activator, uPA) is a serine protease that catalyzes the conversion of plasminogen to plasmin. uPA interacts with a receptor present on cell membranes known as the urokinase receptor (uPAR). This interaction restricts plasminogen activation to the vicinity of the cell surface and also initiates various signal transduction cascades within the cell. Urokinase activity influences extracellular matrix remodeling, cell adhesion, migration and invasion, making it a therapeutic target of interest for cancer research.
Urokinase activity is inhibited by two serine protease inhibitors - plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 and -2 (PAI-1 and PAI-2). PAI-1 induces the internalization of the uPA-uPAR complex and recycling of uPAR; PAI-2 also complexes with uPA-uPAR but is not internalized. Expression of the uPA receptor varies between cell types, and it is often overexpressed by malignant tumor cells.