Description
Key facts
Detection method:Colorimetric,
Sample types:Plasma, Cell culture supernatant, Serum,
Reacts with:Human,
Assay type:Enzyme activity (quantitative),
Sensitivity:< 0.061 IU/mL,
Assay Platform:Microplate reader
Product details:
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.
ab108916 uPA Human Chromogenic Activity Assay Kit is developed to determine Human uPA activity in plasma and cell culture supernatants. The amidolytic activity of uPA is quantitated using a highly specific uPA substrate releasing a yellow para-nitroaniline (pNA) chromophore. The change in absorbance of the pNA at 405 nm is directly proportional to the uPA enzymatic activity.
The entire kit may be stored at -20°C for long term storage before reconstitution - Avoid repeated freeze-thaw cycles.
Properties and Storage Information:
Shipped at conditions-Blue Ice, Appropriate short-term storage conditions--20°C, Appropriate long-term storage conditions-Multi, Storage information-Please refer to protocols
Supplementary Information:
This supplementary information is collated from multiple sources and compiled automatically.
Urokinase also known as urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPA) is a serine protease with a molecular mass of approximately 54 kDa. It is expressed in various tissues including the kidneys liver and blood vessels. Urokinase initially forms as pro-urokinase an inactive precursor that can convert into the active enzyme. Researchers often use assays like the direct assay to measure urokinase activity due to its role in breaking down fibrin and modulating cell adhesion and migration.
Biological function summary
Something particularly interesting about urokinase is its role in converting plasminogen to plasmin a critical enzyme in the process of fibrinolysis. Moreover it is part of a larger enzymatic complex involving the urokinase receptor (uPAR) which localizes plasminogen activation to cell surfaces. This complex mediates extracellular matrix degradation aiding in important cellular processes like tissue remodeling and wound healing.
Pathways
Urokinase plays a critical role in the fibrinolytic pathway which involves the breakdown of blood clots. It also interacts with the extracellular matrix pathway by activating plasminogen which can degrade matrix components. In these pathways urokinase closely interacts with proteins such as plasmin and its inhibitor plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) which regulate the activity and localization of proteolytic events.
Urokinase is strongly linked to conditions such as deep vein thrombosis and cancer metastasis. Its overexpression or dysregulation often leads to excessive tissue degradation influencing metastasis progression. Urokinase is connected to the urokinase receptor (uPAR) in cancer facilitating cancer cell invasion and migration. Understanding its behavior in these contexts is critical for developing therapeutic strategies and targeting treatments against these diseases.
