uPAR/CD87 [10G7]

Urokinase plasminogen activator receptor (uPAR), also designated CD87, is a glycoprotein I-anchored surface receptor specific for urokinase plasminogen activator (uPA). Upon binding to uPAR, uPA converts the surface bound, large serum β-globulin, plasminogen to plasmin. Plasmin, which is also designated fibrinolysin, is a trypsin-like enzyme that acts on Arg-Lys bonds and induces pericellular proteolysis in Fibrin and Fibrinogen, and thereby contributes to the systematic activation of the coagulation cascade. This pathway is observed during re-epithelialization of lesions, wound healing and tissue remodeling. uPA and uPAR are known to be overexpressed in mesenchymal and epithelial origin tumor cells and are required for tumor invasion and metastasis. Ras, MEK, ERK and MLCK function as downstream effectors in the uPAR-dependent signaling cascade, which is initiated by uPA binding, and promotes cellular migration in an integrin selective manner.