SummaryTheurinary-type plasminogen activator,oruPA,controls matrix degradation through the conversion of plasminogen into plasmin andisregardedasthe criticaltriggerfor plasmin generation duringcellmigrationand invasion,under physiologicaland pathologicalconditions(such as cancermetastasis).Theproteolytic activity of uPAisresponsible forthe activationorrelease of several growth factors and modulatest he cell survival/apoptosis Keywords Urokinase,urokinaser eceptor,cellp roliferation,tumour progression,apoptosis ratiot hrought he dynamicc ontrolo fc ell-matrix contacts.The urokinaser eceptor (uPAR), binding to the EGF-liked omain of uPA, directs membrane-associated extracellular proteolysis and signals through transmembrane proteins, thusregulating cell migration,adhesion and cytoskeletal status. However, recent evidence highlights an intricate relationship linking the uPA/uPAR system to cell growth and apoptosis.
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