Regulation of urokinase-type plasminogen activator production by cultured human cytotrophoblasts

Cultured human cytotrophoblasts synthesize and secrete urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPA) during the first 24 h of culture, but secretion declines during the subsequent day. In contrast, synthesis and secretion of fibronectin increases during the 2 days of culture. The levels of uPA mRNA parallel the changes in synthesis and secretion of uPA. Treatment of cytotrophoblasts with 8-bromo-cAMP (1.5 mM) transiently raises uPA mRNA levels and uPA secretion. This treatment reduces fibronectin mRNA levels and causes a sustained increase in beta chorionic gonadotropin mRNA content and chorionic gonadotropin secretion. We conclude that a cAMP-mediated process up-regulates uPA expression in cytotrophoblasts. However, the stimulatory effect of the cyclic nucleotide analog on uPA is transient.     

Regulation of DNA methylation by ethanol induces tissue plasminogen activator expression in astrocytes

Alcohol exposure affects neuronal plasticity in the adult and developing brain. Astrocytes play a major role in modulating neuronal plasticity and are a target of ethanol. Tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) is involved in modulating neuronal plasticity by degrading the extracellular matrix proteins including fibronectin and laminin and is up‐regulated by ethanol in vivo. In this study we explored the hypothesis that ethanol affects DNA methylation in astrocytes thereby increasing expression and release of tPA. It was found that ethanol increased tPA mRNA levels, an effect mimicked by an inhibitor of DNA methyltransferase (DNMT) activity. Ethanol also increased tPA protein expression and release, and inhibited DNMT activity with a corresponding decrease in DNA methylation levels of the tPA promoter. Furthermore, it was observed that protein levels of DNMT3A, but not DNMT1, were reduced in astrocytes after ethanol exposure. These novel studies show that ethanol inhibits DNA methylation in astrocytes leading to increased tPA expression and release; this effect may be involved in astrocyte‐mediated inhibition of neuronal plasticity by alcohol.

     

Extracellular alpha 6 integrin cleavage by urokinase-type plasminogen activator in human prostate cancer

During human prostate cancer progression, the integrin alpha6beta1 (laminin receptor) is expressed on the cancer cell surface during invasion and in lymph node metastases. We previously identified a novel structural variant of the alpha6 integrin called alpha6p. This variant was produced on the cell surface and was missing the beta-barrel extracellular domain. Using several different concentrations of amiloride, aminobenzamidine and PAI-1 and the urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPA) function-blocking antibody (3689), we showed that uPA, acting as a protease, is responsible for production of alpha6p. We also showed that addition of uPA in the culture media of cells that do not produce alpha6p, resulted in a dose-dependent alpha6p production. In contrast, the addition of uPA did not result in the cleavage of other integrins. Using alpha2-antiplasmin and plasmin depleted media, we observed that uPA cleaves the alpha6 integrin directly. Further, 12-o-tetradecanoyl-phorbol-13-acetate (TPA) induced the production of alpha6p, and this induction was abolished by PAI-1 but not alpha2-antiplasmin. Finally, the alpha6p integrin variant was detected in invasive human prostate carcinoma tissue indicating that this is not a tissue culture phenomenon. These data, taken together, suggest that this is a novel function of uPA, that is, to remove the beta-barrel ligand-binding domain of the integrin while preserving its heterodimer association.     

Mutations affecting the activity of urokinase-type plasminogen activator.

Mutagenesis throughout the single-chain urokinase-type plasminogen activator (scu-PA) cDNA molecule, followed by expression of the mutant genes and secretion of the resulting mutant proteins from yeast, has been used to determine the amino acid residues important for activity of scu-PA molecules. Twelve out of 13 colonies secreting variant scu-PA molecules with decreased ability to form a zone of fibrinolysis had mutant genes with a single codon alteration in the serine protease encoding domain (B-chain). Many of these changes are of highly conserved residues in the serine proteases and are consequently of considerable interest. A model three-dimensional structure of the protease domain of urokinase was used to explain the basis for the effects of these down mutations. The model showed that the strongest down mutations result from either interference of the mutated side chain with substrate binding at the active site or the introduction of bulky or charged groups at structurally sensitive internal positions in the molecule. Attempts to find second site revertants of five down mutants, altered either at the plasmin activation site or near the serine at the active site, only resulted in same-site revertants, with the original or closely related amino acids restored.     

Soluble urokinase-type plasminogen activator receptor inhibits cancer cell growth and invasion by direct urokinase-independent effects on cell signaling

The urokinase-type plasminogen activator receptor (uPAR) is released from human cancers and is readily detected in blood. In animal models, soluble uPAR (SuPAR) antagonizes cancer progression; however, the mechanism by which SuPAR functions in vivo remains unclear. It is generally thought that SuPAR scavenges uPA and prevents its interaction with membrane-anchored uPAR. In this study, we demonstrate a novel molecular mechanism by which SuPAR may inhibit cancer progression. We show that SuPAR has the potential to directly and in a uPA-independent manner block the signaling activity of membrane-anchored uPAR. Whether SuPAR inhibits signaling is cell type-specific, depending on the state of the endogenous uPA-uPAR signaling system. In uPAR-deficient cells that lack endogenous uPAR signaling, including uPAR-/-murine embryonic fibroblasts and human embryonal kidney 293 cells, SuPAR functions as a partial signaling agonist that activates ERK/mitogen-activated protein kinase. By contrast, in cells with potent autocrine uPA-uPAR signaling systems, including MDA-MB 231 breast cancer cells and low density lipoprotein receptor-related protein-1-deficient murine embryonic fibroblasts, SuPAR substantially decreases ERK activation. The mechanism probably involves competitive displacement of membrane-anchored uPAR-uPA complex from signaling adaptor proteins. As a result of its effects on cell signaling, SuPAR blocks cell growth and inhibits cellular invasion of Matrigel. Cleavage of SuPAR by proteinases increases its signaling agonist activity and reverses its inhibitory effects on growth and invasion. Thus, proteolytic cleavage represents a molecular switch that neutralizes the anticancer activity of SuPAR.     

On the reversible interaction of plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 with tissue-type plasminogen activator and with urokinase-type plasminogen activator

The reaction between plasminogen activators and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 is characterized by an initial rapid formation of an inactive reversible complex. The second-order association rate constant (k1) of complex formation of recombinant two-chain tissue-type plasminogen activator (rt-PA) or recombinant two-chain urokinase-type plasminogen activator (rtcu-PA) by recombinant plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (rPAI-1) is 2.9 +/- 0.4 x 10(7) M-1 s-1 (mean +/- S.D., n = 30) and 2.0 +/- 0.6 x 10(7) M-1 s-1 (n = 12), respectively. Different molecular forms of tissue- or urokinase-type plasminogen activator which do not form covalent complexes with rPAI-1, including rt-PA-Ala478 (rt-PA with the active-site Ser478 mutagenized to Ala) and anhydro-urokinase (rtcu-PA with the active-site Ser356 converted to dehydroalanine) reduced k1 in a concentration-dependent manner, compatible with 1:1 stoichiometric complex formation between rPAI-1 and these ligands. The apparent dissociation constant (KD) of the complex between rPAI-1 and rt-PA-Ala478, determined as the concentration of rt-PA-Ala478 which reduced k1 to 50% of its control value, was 3-5 nM. Corresponding concentrations of active-site-blocked two-chain rt-PA were 150-250-fold higher. The concentration of anhydro-urokinase which reduced k1 to 50% was 4-6 nM, whereas that of active-site-blocked rtcu-PA was 100-250-fold higher. Recombinant single-chain urokinase-type plasminogen activator had an apparent KD of about 2 microM. These results suggest that inhibition of rt-PA or rtcu-PA by rPAI-1 proceeds via a reversible high affinity interaction which does not require a functional active site but which is markedly reduced following inactivation of the enzymes with active-site titrants.     

Domain structure and interactions of recombinant urokinase-type plasminogen activator.

Urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPA) is a mosaic glycoprotein composed of an epidermal growth factor-like (EGF), a kringle and a serine protease (SP) module. It exists in single and two-chain forms designated HMW pro-uPA and HMW uPA, respectively. A low molecular weight form, LMW uPA, lacks the EGF and kringle modules and is composed of the SP module alone. Recombinant-expressed proteins representing both HMW forms exhibit four reversible unfolding transitions that are resolved by deconvolution of melting curves obtained by differential scanning calorimetry at pH 4.5; no differences in the melting properties of the single and two-chain forms were found. The proteolytic fragment Ser1-Lys135 (EGF-kringle) exhibits two transitions, while the isolated EGF and kringle modules each exhibit a single two-state transition. Thus, both of these modules retain an independently folded compact structure when isolated. The isolated SP module (LMW uPA) exhibits two closely spaced transitions at low pH indicating the melting of two domains of similar stability. Fluorescence-detected melting curves of LMW uPA reveal increasing cooperativity with increasing pH, suggesting an increase in the interaction between the two SP domains. Treatment of both HMW and LMW uPA with the tripeptide inhibitor Glu-Gly-Arg-chloromethylketone dramatically increased the stability of both domains of the SP module which now melt together in a single two-state transition, even at low pH, with no effect on the EGF and kringle modules. From these data one concludes that UK consists of four independently folded domains. Two are formed by the EGF and kringle modules which do not interact with each other or with the SP module. The SP module contains two domains that are independent at low pH but exhibit a tendency to merge into a single cooperative unit at neutral pH or after treatment with the tripeptide inhibitor.     

Suppression of urokinase-type plasminogen activator expression from human ovarian cancer cells by urinary trypsin inhibitor

Urinary trypsin inhibitor (UTI), a Kunitz-type protease inhibitor, efficiently inhibits tumor cell invasion and metastasis. We examined the effect of UTI on urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPA) expression in ovarian cancer cell lines, HOC-I and HRA. By Northern blot, Western blot, ELISA, and zymographic analyses, we demonstrated that UTI inhibited the expression of uPA mRNA and protein in these cells in a time- and dose-dependent manner, independent of whether induction was triggered by phorbol ester. Monoclonal antibody 4G12, which inhibits UTI binding to the cells, produced a dose-dependent abrogation in UTI-mediated down-regulation of uPA expression. These data suggest that UTI significantly down-regulates tumor cell uPA mRNA expression and protein secretion, and that UTI binding to the cells is necessary to exert the UTI's action.     

Altered expression of urokinase-type plasminogen activator and plasminogen activator inhibitor in high-risk soft tissue sarcomas

In recent years, classification of soft-tissue sarcomas (STS) has improved with cytogenetic analyses, but their clinical behavior is still not easily predictable. The aim of this study was to detect alterations in the urokinase-type plasminogen system, involved in tumor growth and invasion, by comparing mRNA levels of its components with those of paired normal tissues, and relating them with patient clinical course. Real-time PCR was performed on human STS cell lines and tissues from highly malignant STS, including leiomyosarcomas and malignant fibrous histiocytomas, to evaluate the expression of urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPA), uPA receptor (uPAR) and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1). Immunohistochemistry of gene products was also performed. Median mRNA values of all genes studied were higher in tumors than in paired normal tissues. In agreement with data on STS cell lines, significant up-regulation for uPA and PAI-1 genes compared to reference values was seen. Moreover, different levels of expression were related to histotype and metastatic phenotype. There was accordance between uPA mRNA and protein expression, while immunodetection of PAI-1 product was weak and scattered. Clearly, the controversial role of PAI-1 protein requires further biological analyses, but evident involvement of uPA/PAI-1 gene overexpression in STS malignancy may highlight a molecular defect useful in discriminating STS high-risk patients.     

Distribution of urokinase-type plasminogen activator immunoreactivity in the mouse

Immunocytochemistry, using rabbit antibodies to a urokinase-type 48- Kdalton Mr mouse plasminogen activator, showed that enzyme immunoreactivity is widely distributed in the normal mouse. Strong staining was obtained in widely disseminated connective tissue cells with a fibroblast-like morphology. Such cells occurred in high numbers in the lamina propria mucosae of the gastrointestinal tract, and in moderate numbers in the connective tissue septa of the pancreas. A few such cells were detected around the larynx, trachea, and bronchi. Immunoreactivity also occurred in epithelial cells of the proximal and distal kidney tubules, the ductus deferens, and in pulmonary pneumocytes. In addition, presumably extracellular staining was seen irregularly along the basement membrane and fibrillar structures in the lamina propria of the small and large intestines. Moreover, decidual cells of the mouse placenta stained strongly, and a moderate staining was observed in epithelial cells of involuting mammary glands, but not in those of noninvoluting glands. No immunoreactivity was observed in endothelial cells. Control experiments included absorption of the antibodies against highly-purified mouse plasminogen activator and the corresponding proenzyme, and the finding of a good correspondence between the number of immunoreactive cells and measurable enzymatic activity determined in adjacent tissue sections. Separation by SDS PAGE followed by immunoblotting revealed only one immunochemically stainable protein band with Mr approximately 48 Kdaltons in extracts from tissues showing immunoreactivity.     

Purification and characterization of single-chain urokinase-type plasminogen activator from human cell cultures

A urokinase-type plasminogen activator was purified from conditioned media of several human cell cultures, but preferably from the human lung adenocarcinoma line CALU-3 (ATCC, HTB-55), using a combination of chromatography on zinc chelate-Sepharose, SP-Sephadex C-50, and Sephadex G-100. Final yields of 65-100 micrograms/liter of starting material were obtained with a 290-fold purification factor and a recovery of 30%. The purified plasminogen activator consists of a single polypeptide chain with Mr 54,000 as determined by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and is very similar or identical to single-chain urokinase-type plasminogen activator on the basis of immunodiffusion, amino acid composition, and the lack of specific binding to fibrin. It has very low amidolytic activity on Pyroglu-Gly-Arg-rho-nitroanilide and is converted to two-chain urokinase by limited exposure to plasmin. It has a specific activity of 60,000 IU/mg on fibrin plates and directly activates plasminogen following Michaelis-Menten kinetics with Km = 1.1 microM and kappa cat = 0.0026 S-1. It is concluded that the plasminogen activator purified from CALU-3-conditioned media is physically and kinetically identical to single-chain urokinase-type plasminogen activator. With the present straightforward purification method and a readily available source, sufficient amounts of single-chain urokinase-type plasminogen activator can be obtained for more detailed investigations of its biochemical, biological, and thrombolytic properties.     

Comparative kinetic analysis of the activation of human plasminogen by natural and recombinant single-chain urokinase-type plasminogen activator

Single-chain urokinase-type plasminogen activator (scu-PA) may be obtained from conditioned cell culture media (natural scu-PA) or by expression of the cDNA encoding human scu-PA in Escherichia coli (recombinant scu-PA). The activation of Glu-plasminogen by natural and recombinant scu-PA can be described by a sequence of three reactions, each of which obeys Michaelis-Menten kinetics. Initial activation of plasminogen to plasmin by scu-PA (reaction I) occurs with a high affinity (Km below 0.8 microM) for both scu-PAs, while the catalytic rate constant (k2) is 0.017 s-1 for recombinant scu-PA but only 0.0009 s-1 for natural scu-PA. Subsequent conversion of scu-PA to urokinase (two-chain urokinase-type plasminogen activator, tcu-PA) by generated plasmin (reaction II) occurs with a comparable affinity (Km about 5 microM) for natural and recombinant scu-PA and with a k2 of 0.23 s-1 for natural and 1.2 s-1 for recombinant scu-PA. Finally, activation of plasminogen by tcu-PA (reaction III) occurs with low affinity (Km 30-50 microM) but with a high catalytic rate constant (k2 about 5 s-1) for both natural and recombinant tcu-PA. The differences in the kinetic parameters of the activation of plasminogen by natural or recombinant scu-PA are thus mainly due to differences in turnover rate in the first reaction. Indeed, the catalytic rate constant of the first reaction is about 20-times higher for recombinant scu-PA than for natural scu-PA. Thus, surprisingly, the artificial, unglycosylated recombinant scu-PA molecule has a better catalytic efficiency than its natural glycosylated counterpart.     

Antigen levels of urokinase-type plasminogen activator receptor and its gene polymorphism related to microvessel density in colorectal cancer

We determined the distribution of genotypes and frequencies of alleles of the (CA)(n) repeat polymorphism in intron 3 of the urokinase plasminogen activator receptor (uPAR) gene, uPAR antigen levels and microvessel density (MVD) in tumour and distant mucosa samples from 52 patients with colorectal cancer. The uPAR level was higher for patients with high MVD comparing to patients with lower MVD which may suggest that uPAR can be correlated with progression of colorectal cancer. The significant relationship between the high MVD and uPAR antigen level appeared to be independent of the (CA)(n) repeat polymorphism because no differences in the level of uPAR antigen between carriers of alleles were found. The received results, indicate that uPAR might be considered as a target in colorectal cancer patients' therapy.