Summary
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.
Keywords
Urokinase receptor - proliferation - tumors - metastasis