Description
Urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPA) is a highly restricted serine protease that converts the zymogen plasminogen to active plasmin, a broad-spectrum serine proteinase capable of degrading most of the major protein components of the extracellular matrix. Binding of uPA to its receptor and subsequent uPA mediated pericellular proteolysis are involved in many process including cell migration and tissue remodeling in angiogeenesis, atherogenesis, tumor cell metastasis, and ovulation. High level of uPA is a poor prognostic marker for aggressive breast cancer, aggressive prostate cancer, bladder cancer and gastric cancer