The urokinase-system--role of cell proliferation and apoptosis

The serine protease urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPA) and its receptor (uPAR) are involved in the control of extracellular matrix turnover, cell migration, invasion and cell signalling leading to a variety of different responses, under both physiological and pathological conditions. The urokinase receptor, binding to the growth factor-like domain of uPA, directs membrane-associated extracellular proteolysis and signals through transmembrane proteins, thus regulating tissue regeneration, angiogenesis, cancer growth and metastasis. Since these physiological and patho-physiological processes of the uPA-system are known, less informations concerning uPA-induced cell proliferation and anti-apoptotic effects of the uPA-system are available. Recent studies show a close relationship of the uPA-system and cell proliferation/ apoptosis. uPA is responsible for the activation and release of different growth factors and modulates the cell proliferation/apoptosis ratio through the dynamic control of cell-matrix interactions. This article focuses on the important role of the uPA/uPAR-system for cell proliferation and apoptosis.