Summary
The expression of the urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPA) and its receptor
(uPAR) can be regulated by several hormones, cytokines, and tumour promoters. uPAR
is a glycosyl-phosphatidyl inositol (GPI)- linked cell-surface protein; however, it
is capable to transduce signals inside the cell by interacting with other cell-surface
proteins, such as integrins and G-protein coupled (GPC) receptors. We previously reported
that uPAR cell-surface expression can be positively regulated by its ligand, uPA,
independently of its proteolytic activity. We now demonstrate that uPAR overexpression
induces or increases uPA secretion both in uPAR-negative and in uPAR-expressing cells.
Accordingly, uPAR depletion impairs uPA expression in cells which constitutively express
both uPA and its receptor. uPAR exerts its regulatory effect through the activation
of the ERK mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs), whereas the p-38 MAPK is not
involved. Overexpression of truncated forms of uPAR, lacking the N-terminal domain
(DI) and not able to interact with membrane co-receptors, failed to increase uPA expression.
Inhibition of uPAR-integrin interaction by the specific P-25 peptide, as well as Gi-protein
inhibition by cholera pertussin toxin or depletion of the GPC receptors for fMLF (fMLF-Rs)
also impaired uPAR capability to regulate uPA expression. These findings demonstrate
that uPAR, whose expression is regulated by uPA, can, in turn, regulate uPA expression
through a mechanism involving its functional interaction with integrins and fMLF-Rs.
Keywords
Urokinase receptor - plasminogen activators - pericellular proteolysis