Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
Pivot Concepts:   Target Concepts:
Query: EC:3.4.21.73 (urokinase-type plasminogen activator)
 10,685 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

Overexpression of urokinase plasminogen activator (uPA) has been proposed to be one of the mechanisms by which malignant glioma cells cause pericellular proteolysis of stromal structures during brain-tissue invasion. However, knowledge about the mechanisms that regulate uPA in glioma cells is still rather scant. Growth factors, particularly epidermal growth factor and basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), regulate uPA synthesis in various nonglial cells. Because these factors have been associated with glioma invasion, we thought that perhaps similar events may occur in glioma cells. In this study, we demonstrate that growth factors regulate uPA gene transcription in glioma cells by induction of Ets-1 transcription factor. Serum and bFGF treatment concomitantly stimulated baseline levels of Ets-1 and uPA mRNA and protein, and this was associated with a marked increase in the migration and invasion potentials of glioma cells in vitro. Treatment of cells with antisense Ets-1 but not the control sense oligonucleotides concurrently inhibited the expression of Ets-1 and uPA, and this blocked glioma cell migration and invasion by more than 50%. In addition, medium conditioned by antisense Ets-1 oligonucleotide-treated cells showed markedly reduced uPA activity, as determined by casein zymography. These results strongly suggest that serum and bFGF control glioma invasion by inducing synthesis of Ets-1 transcription factor, which directly up-regulates expression of uPA in glioma cells. Antisense inhibition of Ets-1 expression may therefore provide a potential and exciting therapeutic target for preventing invasion by glioma cells.
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PMID:Ets-1 transcription factor-mediated urokinase-type plasminogen activator expression and invasion in glioma cells stimulated by serum and basic fibroblast growth factors. 1021 93

The in vitro release of matrix-degrading proteinases from breast cancer cells is associated in part with shed membrane vesicles. To determine whether shed vesicles might play a similar role in ovarian cancer cells, we analyzed the shedding phenomenon in vivo and in vitro as well as the enzymatic content of their vesicles. This is the first time that an immunoelectron microscopical analysis revealed membrane vesicles carrying tumor-associated antigen alpha-Folate Receptor (alpha-FR), circulating in biological fluids (ascites and serum) of an ovarian carcinoma patient. These vesicles were trapped in a fiber network with characteristic fibrin periodicity. An ovarian cancer cell line (CABA I) established from ascitic fluid cells of this patient, grew in Matrigel and formed tubular structures suggesting invasive capability. Immunofluorescence analysis demonstrated strong cytoplasmic staining of CABA I cells with anti-matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) and anti-urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPA) antibodies. CABA I cells shed membrane vesicles, which were morphologically similar to those identified in vivo, as determined by electron microscopy. Gelatin zymography of vesicles isolated both in vivo and in vitro revealed major gelatinolytic bands of the MMP family, identified as the zymogen and active forms of gelatinase B (MMP-9) and gelatinase A (MMP-2). By casein-plasminogen zymography we observed high-molecular weight (HMW)-uPA and plasmin bands. Incubation of purified vesicles from CABA I cells with Matrigel led to cleavage of Matrigel components. Taken together, our results point to a possible role of shed vesicles, both in vivo and in vitro, in proteolysis that mediates invasion and spread of ovarian epithelial carcinoma cells.
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PMID:Matrix-degrading proteinases are shed in membrane vesicles by ovarian cancer cells in vivo and in vitro. 1041 Nov 5

Kaposi's sarcoma (KS) cells are considered to be of endothelial origin. KS lesions are characterized by hyperproliferation and an invasive phenotype. We have determined that KS cell cultures constitutively secrete multiple forms of several matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and an altered form of urokinase plasminogen activator (uPA) by zymogram and Western analysis of the culture media. MMPs are a family of secreted endoproteinases which degrade components of the extracellular matrix. Their enhanced expression and activity are strongly correlated with cellular processes involving tissue remodeling and invasion. The KS cells secrete increased levels of gelatinase A and B and a high molecular weight uPA in vitro when compared with non-KS endothelial or epithelial cells. Multiple forms of gelatinases A and B were observed on gelatin zymograms. Caseinolytic bands observed were confirmed by Western blot analysis to be due to stromelysin activity, whereas matrilysin was not detected by casein zymography. Western blot analysis also detected secretion of interstitial collagenase and high molecular weight uPA. Gelatinolytic activity with the mobility of gelatinase B was detected on gelatin zymograms, but not by Western analysis. This unusual constitutive expression pattern of MMPs and uPA by KS cells in vitro is characterized by elevated levels of gelatinase A, gelatinase B, interstitial collagenase, stromelysin and a high molecular weight form of uPA, and the lack of expression of matrilysin. These secreted MMPs, taken together, are capable of digesting a broad range of components of the extracellular matrix. This unusual pattern is likely to contribute to the characteristic hyperproliferative and invasive phenotype of KS lesions.
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PMID:Expression of multiple matrix metalloproteinases and urokinase type plasminogen activator in cultured Kaposi sarcoma cells. 1044 93

Many studies have highlighted the role played by matrix metalloproteinases MMP-2 and -9, by serine proteases uPA and plasmin in tumor cell invasion. This study investigates the impact of the MMP-inhibitor Batimastat and/or the serine protease inhibitor Aprotinin on the in vitro proteolytic activity and in vivo invasive behavior the of esophageal (OC1) and ovarian (OVCAR-3) carcinoma cells. In presence and absence of inhibitors, proteolytic activity of the tumor cells was determined by caseinolytic and collagenolytic in vitro assays and tumor cell invasion by intraperitoneal inoculation of the tumor cells into nude mice. In vitro, Aprotinin, tested alone or in combination with Batimastat, efficiently inhibited degradation of collagen IV and casein by the tumor cells. Batimastat alone had no effect on caseinolytic activities and only partially blocked collagen-type-IV-degradation by the tumor cells. In vivo, Aprotinin tested alone or in combination with Batimastat did not prevent tumor cell invasion. Treatment of tumor bearing mice with Batimastat significantly inhibited tumor growth but promoted tumor cell invasion into the liver. Our findings demonstrate that the inhibition pattern of cellular proteolytic activity achieved in vitro by a serine protease and an MMP inhibitor may lead to predictions that are not necessarily verified in vivo and may even have adverse effects.
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PMID:Combined treatment with serine protease inhibitor aprotinin and matrix metalloproteinase inhibitor Batimastat (BB-94) does not prevent invasion of human esophageal and ovarian carcinoma cells in vivo. 1062 17

The expression of plasminogen and plasminogen activators (PG/PAs) in reactive astrocytes was examined following scratch injury. In response to injury, casein-degrading activity could be observed around astrocytes. The protein expression of tissue-type plasminogen activator (tPA) was up-regulated, while the free form of urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPA) was not detected. Consistent with these findings, results obtained with zymograph assay also revealed that tPA activity, but not uPA activity, was up-regulated. Moreover, the addition of 6-amino-caproitic acid (EACA) to casein-covered astrocytes significantly prevented the recovery of the injured astrocytes in a dose-dependent manner. Taken together, our data demonstrate that the expression of PG/PAs in cultured astrocytes is regulated following injury, suggesting that caseinolytic activity is an essential component during the process of astrocyte recovery.
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PMID:Altered expression of tissue-type plasminogen activator and type 1 inhibitor in astrocytes of mouse cortex following scratch injury in culture. 1079 47

Primary varicose veins are functionally characterized by venous back-flow and blood stagnation in the upright position. Dilatation and tortuosity provide evidence for progressive venous wall remodelling, with disturbance of smooth muscle cell/extracellular matrix organization. Affected areas are not uniformly distributed, some areas being hypertrophic, whereas others are atrophic or unaffected. In 12 varicose veins and ten control veins, the proteolytic enzyme/inhibitor balance which may participate in the remodelling of the venous wall was investigated. For this purpose, the presence and enzymatic activity of matrix metalloproteinases (MMP-2, MMP-9), tissue inhibitors of MMPs (TIMP-1, TIMP-2), urokinase-type (uPA) and tissue-type (tPA) plasminogen activators (PAs), and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) were quantified by western blot and gelatin or plasminogen-casein zymography. In addition, MMP-2, TIMP-1, TIMP-2, and PAI-1 levels were measured by ELISA. A high TIMP-1 level and a low MMP-2 level/activity were found in varicose veins (p<0.005), resulting in a three-fold increase in the TIMP-1/MMP-2 ratio in varicose versus control veins. Levels of PAs (uPA and tPA) as well as PAI-1 were both lower in varicose veins (p<0.005), with minimal change in the PAI/PA ratio. These results demonstrate that varicose veins are characterized by a higher than normal TIMP/MMP ratio, which may facilitate extracellular matrix accumulation in the diseased venous wall.
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PMID:Increased TIMP/MMP ratio in varicose veins: a possible explanation for extracellular matrix accumulation. 1095 7

Endostatin, a M(r) 20,000 fragment of collagen XVIII, is able to inhibit angiogenesis and induce apoptosis in endothelial cells in vivo. We analyzed the effectsof recombinant endostatin on human microvascular endothelial cells, focusing on pericellular plasminogen activation and its targeting by the focal adhesion-associated cytoskeletal structures. Analysis of the proteolytic plasminogen activator system revealed that endostatin modulates the distribution of soluble and cell surface-associated urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPA) and plasminogen activator inhibitor, type 1 (PAI-1). Casein zymographic and immunoprecipitation analyses indicated that endostatin exerts its effects by decreasing the levels of soluble uPA and PAI-1 and their complexes in a dose-dependent manner. Immunofluorescence analysis of cell surface-associated uPA indicated that endostatin treatment caused the redistribution of receptor-bound uPA from focal contacts, resulting in diffuse cell surface staining. In accordance with this observation, immunofluorescence staining of the urokinase receptor revealed that endostatin treatment removed uPAR from focal adhesions. Accordingly, endostatin caused a rapid disassembly of focal adhesions as observed by immunofluorescence analysis of the focal adhesion proteins vinculin and paxillin. A prominent change in the cytoskeletal architecture was observed as the actin stress fiber network was dissociated in response to endostatin treatment. The effect of focal adhesion disassembly was reversible, persisting from 1 h up to 6 h. Our results suggest that the antiangiogenic activity of endostatin involves the modulation of focal adhesions and actin stress fibers and the down-regulation of the urokinase plasminogen activator system.
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PMID:Endostatin-induced modulation of plasminogen activation with concomitant loss of focal adhesions and actin stress fibers in cultured human endothelial cells. 1152 48

Previously, we demonstrated that amorphous calcium phosphate (ACP), chemical precursor to apatite, strongly interacted with fibrin and facilitated binding of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-9, a type IV collagenase. Plasmin-dependent fibrinolysis resulted in coordinate MMP-9 activation. Here we report on the effect(s) of ACP on fibrin degradation and binding of endogenous plasma proteases. Electrophoresis (8.5% SDS-PAGE) revealed that fibrin formed in the presence of ACP demonstrated characteristic gamma-gamma dimers (90-kDa) and beta-monomers (55-kDa), but resisted spontaneous fibrinolysis (72 h, 37 degrees C) or degradation by plasminogen activators (uPA, tPA). Casein zymography revealed an ACP-dependent decrease in fibrin binding of a low molecular weight (Mw) protease triplet (47-, 43-, 42-kDa) and increased fibrin binding of two high Mw proteases (94- and 84-kDa). The low Mw triplet also possessed gelatinolytic activity, but was not an MMP since 1,10-phenanthroline was ineffective as an inhibitor. Fibrin-binding proteases were inhibited to some degree by the serine protease inhibitor aprotinin. Competition/dissociation experiments with epsilon-aminocaproic acid revealed that the low Mw triplet lacked kringle regions whereas the 94- and 84-kDa proteases were tentatively identified and glu-/lys-plasmin(ogen)s. The triplet may, however, represent one or more kringle deficient mini-plasminogen(s), since electrophoretic mobility and substrate specificity was similar to elastase-generated mini-plasminogen. To explore these findings in a clinically relevant setting, a series of plasma samples was collected from a patient with unstable angina prior to, during, and post coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery. Fibrin formed from plasma collected during and immediately post CABG was associated with increased fibrinolytic capacity and enhanced binding of a) MMP-9, b) the low Mw protease triplet (described above), and c) PA (as putative 110-kDa tPA:PAI-1 complex). The relevance of these findings to pathologic calcification of atherosclerotic plaques is discussed.
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PMID:Interaction of amorphous calcium phosphate with fibrin in vitro causes decreased fibrinolysis and altered protease profiles: implications for atherosclerotic disease. 1182 Apr 59

During angiogenesis, endothelial cells use uPA and PAI-1 to migrate and degrade the basement membrane surrounding capillary blood vessels. Invasive tumor cells produce a large amount of uPA that could bind uPAR present at the endothelial cell surface to facilitate their invasion. To verify this hypothesis, endothelial cells were incubated with conditioned medium (CM) from two breast cancer cell lines (MCF7 and MDA MB 231 cells). Within a short incubation period (30 min) with both CM, an increase of uPA, PAI-1 and uPA-PAI-1 complex was detected in endothelial cell layer as assessed by casein zymography, ELISA and uPA immunostaining. The extent of this enhancement was related to the levels of uPA secreted by tumor cells (high in MDA MB 231 cells and low in MCF7 cells). After 2 hr of incubation, the CM from both tumor cells upregulated uPA and PAI-1 mRNA levels in endothelial cells in a time-dependent manner. The uPA increase in the cell layer could not be attributable to an increase of uPAR level. Only the CM from highly invasive MDA MB 231 cells increased the angiogenic morphotype of endothelial cells assessed in a collagen gel. A single addition of amino-terminal fragment of uPA (ATF) was able to abolish the angiogenic effect induced by MDA MB 231 cell CM. Our data demonstrate that the interactions occurring between breast tumor cells and endothelial cells can modulate tumor angiogenesis at least by two mechanisms: an increase of uPA and PAI-1 cell surface-binding and of their expression by endothelial cells.
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PMID:Human breast adenocarcinoma cell lines promote angiogenesis by providing cells with uPA-PAI-1 and by enhancing their expression. 1212 97

The SspB cysteine protease of Staphylococcus aureus is expressed in an operon, flanked by the sspA serine protease, and sspC, encoding a 12.9-kDa protein of unknown function. SspB was expressed as a 40-kDa prepropeptide pSspB, which did not undergo autocatalytic maturation. Activity of pSspB was reduced compared with 22-kDa mature SspB, but it was equivalent to mature SspB after incubation with SspA, which specifically removed the pSspB N-terminal propeptide. SspC abrogated the activity of pSspB when incubated in a 1:1 complex but had no effect on SspA or papain. Activity of the pSspB.SspC complex was restored when incubated with SspA, and SspC was cleaved by SspA but not pSspB. Thus, SspC maintains pSspB as an inert zymogen, and SspA is required for removal of the propeptide and inactivation of SspC. Like the papain protease family, SspB cleaved substrates with a hydrophobic amino acid at P2 but had a strong preference for arginine at P1. It did not cleave casein, serum albumin, IgG, or IgA, but it promoted detachment of cultured keratinocytes and cleaved fibronectin and fibrinogen at sites recognized by urokinase plasminogen activator and plasmin, respectively. It also processed high molecular weight kininogen in a manner resembling plasma kallikrein. Thus, SspB exhibits a novel maturation mechanism and mimics the specificity of plasma serine proteases.
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PMID:Identification of a novel maturation mechanism and restricted substrate specificity for the SspB cysteine protease of Staphylococcus aureus. 1220 24


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