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Tissue plasminogen activator mRNA in murine tissues
1Department of Microbiology, State University of New York, Stony Brook 11794.
Abstract:
The urokinase-type and tissue-type plasminogen activators are the two enzymes found in mammals, which specifically convert the zymogen plasminogen to plasmin. Using cDNA probes, we have assayed for the presence of the two types of plasminogen activator mRNAs in murine tissues. We demonstrate that tissue-type plasminogen activator mRNA can be detected in a wide variety of tissues. In contrast, the accumulation of urokinase-type plasminogen activator mRNA is observed in only a few of the tissues analyzed. Using an S1 nuclease assay, we demonstrate that the tPA mRNA detected contains the complete sequences encoding the non-protease finger, growth-factor and kringle domains.
Insights
Researchers identified tissue-type plasminogen activator (tPA) mRNA in many mouse tissues. Urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPA) mRNA was found in fewer tissues, with tPA mRNA containing complete functional domains.
Area of Science:
- Molecular Biology
- Biochemistry
- Genetics
Background:
- Mammals possess two key enzymes: urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPA) and tissue-type plasminogen activator (tPA).
- These enzymes are crucial for converting plasminogen into plasmin, a vital process in the body.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the distribution and characteristics of uPA and tPA messenger RNAs (mRNAs) in various murine tissues.
- To confirm the integrity of the detected tPA mRNA sequences.
Main Methods:
- Utilized complementary DNA (cDNA) probes to detect and quantify uPA and tPA mRNAs.
- Employed an S1 nuclease assay to verify the completeness of the tPA mRNA sequences.
Main Results:
- Tissue-type plasminogen activator mRNA was found to be widely distributed across a broad range of murine tissues.
- In contrast, urokinase-type plasminogen activator mRNA accumulation was limited to a select few tissues.
- The S1 nuclease assay confirmed that the detected tPA mRNA included complete coding sequences for non-protease, finger, growth-factor, and kringle domains.
Conclusions:
- Demonstrates a differential expression pattern of tPA and uPA mRNAs in murine tissues.
- Highlights the presence of fully functional tPA mRNA in various tissues, suggesting diverse roles.