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The low density lipoprotein (LDL) receptor-related protein 1B (LRP1B) is a newly identified member of the LDL receptor family and is closely related to LRP. It was discovered as a putative tumor suppressor and is frequently inactivated in lung cancer cells. In the present study, we used an LRP1B minireceptor (mLRP1B4), which mimics the function and trafficking of LRP1B, to explore the roles of LRP1B on the plasminogen activation system. We found that mLRP1B4 and urokinase plasminogen activator receptor (uPAR) form immunoprecipitable complexes on the cell surface in the presence of complexes of uPA and its inhibitor, plasminogen activator inhibitor type-1 (PAI-1). However, compared with cells expressing the analogous LRP minireceptor (mLRP4), cells expressing mLRP1B4 display a substantially slower rate of uPA.PAI-1 complex internalization. Expression of mLRP1B4, or an mLRP4 mutant deficient in endocytosis, leads to an accumulation of uPAR at the cell surface and increased cell-associated uPA and PAI-1 when compared with cells expressing mLRP4. In addition, we found that expression of mLRP1B or the mLRP4 endocytosis mutant impairs the regeneration of unoccupied uPAR on the cell surface and that this correlates with a diminished rate of cell migration. Taken together, these results demonstrate that LRP1B can function as a negative regulator of uPAR regeneration and cell migration.

Urokinase (urokinase plasminogen activator, uPA) and its cell surface receptor (uPA receptor, uPAR) play an important role in a variety of physiological and pathological processes requiring cell migration and tissue remodeling. Using our syngeneic model of uPAR overexpression by the rat breast cancer cell line Mat B-III, we have examined the ability of the nonsteroidal antiestrogen, tamoxifen (TAM), and of a selective synthetic inhibitor of uPA, 4-iodo benzo[b]thiophene-2-carboxamidine (B-428), to inhibit expression of uPA and uPAR as well as cell growth, invasion, and metastasis of wild-type Mat B-III cells and of cells overexpressing uPAR (Mat B-III-uPAR). Both TAM and B-428 inhibited uPAR gene transcription, mRNA expression, protein production and also decreased the proliferative and invasive capacity of Mat B-III and Mat B-III-uPAR. The effects of TAM and B-428 were more pronounced when these agents were tested in combination. Both control and experimental cells (1 x 10(6) cells) were inoculated orthotopically into the mammary fat pad of syngeneic female Fisher rats, and animals were infused i.p. with either TAM and B-428 alone or in combination for 2 weeks. Control animals receiving vehicle alone developed large tumors and macroscopic metastases to lungs, liver, and lymph nodes. In contrast to this, experimental animals receiving TAM and B-428 showed a significant decrease in primary tumor volume and metastases. Combination therapy had especially marked effects in blocking progression of the primary tumor in experimental animals inoculated with highly aggressive Mat B-III-uPAR cells. These results underscore the utility of anti-proteolytic agents (B-428) in addition to standard hormone therapy (TAM) in advanced breast cancer patients where the uPA/uPAR system plays a key role in tumor progression.

The intrinsic activity of single-chain pro-urinary-type plasminogen activator (pro-uPA) and whether its receptor (uPAR) potentiates this activity remains controversial. In this report, the pro-uPA/uPAR-(1-281)-peptide complex in solution is shown to have equivalent plasminogen-activator activity to that of active two-chain uPA (tc-uPA). However, the activity of the complex was dependent on a synthetic tripeptide, Spectrozyme plasmin (Spl, H-D-2-aminohexanoic acid(Ahx)-hexatyrosyl-lysine-p-nitroanilide), which can also be used as a chromogenic substrate for plasmin. Furthermore, this activity could be completely suppressed by commonly used carrier proteins and detergents. The pro-uPA/uPAR-(1-281)-peptide complex at 1 nM displayed similar activity to that of tc-uPA for either [Glu1]plasminogen or [Lys77]plasminogen in chromogenic assays with Spl present as the plasmin substrate. When assayed with another plasmin substrate, S2251, the pro-uPA/uPAR-(1-281)-peptide complex was unable to activate plasminogen. The pro-uPA/uPAR-(1-281)-peptide complex and tc-uPA also showed a similar extent of plasminogen activation as measured by SDS/PAGE, when incubated with plasminogen and Spl in the presence of 100 micro M aprotinin, and plasminogen activation by pro-uPA alone was also stimulated in the presence of Spl in this assay. Activation of plasminogen by the pro-uPA/uPAR-(1-281)-peptide strictly required the presence of Spl, and pro-uPA remained in single-chain form during these assays. This activity of the pro-uPA/uPAR-(1-281)-peptide complex but not that of tc-uPA was completely inhibited by human serum albumin, bovine serum albumin, Tween-80, Triton X-100, and Pluronic-F68. Taken together, the data indicates that uPAR-(1-281)-peptide itself is not sufficient to augment pro-uPA activity and the presence of an effector molecule (e.g. Spl) is required to elicit the full plasminogen-activator activity of the pro-uPA/uPAR-(1-281)-peptide complex. It remains to be seen whether there is a physiological counterpart to this phenomenon.

Low density lipoprotein receptor-related protein (LRP) mediates the endocytosis of diverse ligands, including urokinase plasminogen activator (uPA) and its receptor, uPAR, which have been implicated in cellular migration. The purpose of this study was to determine whether LRP affects cellular migration. Murine embryonic fibroblasts (MEF) that are LRP-deficient due to targeted gene disruption and exotoxin selection (MEF-2), heterozygous fibroblasts (PEA-10), and wild-type fibroblasts (MEF-1) were compared. When cultures were denuded of cells in a 1-mm-wide strip, all three cell types migrated into the denuded area. The MEF-2 cells migrated nearly twice as rapidly as the MEF-1 cells or PEA-10 cells. The difference in migration velocity was duplicated in culture wells that were precoated with serum or vitronectin and partially duplicated in wells coated with fibronectin but not in wells coated with type I collagen or Matrigel. uPA was detected in MEF-2 conditioned medium (CM) at a concentration of 0.30 +/- 0.02 nM, which was 13-fold higher than the level detected in MEF-1 CM or PEA-10 CM, suggesting one potential mechanism for the enhanced migration of MEF-2 cells. uPAR was also increased on MEF-2 cells by 4-5-fold, as determined by PI-PLC release, and by 2.5-fold, as determined by a uPA/uPAR activity assay. Mannosamine treatment, which down-regulates cell-surface uPAR, decreased MEF-2 migration by 40% without significantly affecting MEF-1 migration. MEF-2 CM, which is uPA-rich, increased the rate of MEF-1 migration, and MEF-1 CM did not. These studies demonstrate alterations in cellular migration and in the activity of the uPA/uPAR system which accompany complete deficiency of LRP expression in fibroblasts. We propose that uPA and uPAR form an autocrine loop for promoting fibroblast migration and that LRP counteracts the activity of this system.

The mechanism by which single-chain urokinase (scuPA) binds to its receptor (uPAR) is incompletely understood. We report that a fragment comprising the first domain of recombinant soluble uPAR (sDI) as well as a fragment comprising the remaining domains (sDII-DIII) competes with the binding of recombinant full-length soluble uPAR (suPAR) to scuPA with an IC50 = 253 nM and an IC50 = 1569, respectively. sDII-III binds directly to scuPA with Kd = 238 nM. Binding of scuPA to each fragment also induces the expression of plasminogen activator activity. sDI and sDII-DIII (200 nM each) induced activity equal to 66 and 36% of the maximum activity induced by full-length suPAR (5 nM), respectively. Each fragment also stimulates the binding of scuPA to cells lacking endogenous uPAR. Although scuPA binds to sDI and to sDII-DIII through its amino-terminal fragment, the fragments act synergistically to inhibit the binding of suPAR and to stimulate plasminogen activator activity. Furthermore, sDII-DIII retards the velocity and alters the pattern of cleavage of sDI by chymotrypsin. These results suggest that binding of scuPA to more than one epitope in suPAR is required for its optimal activation and association with cell membranes.

Binding of urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPA) to its glycosylphosphatidylinositol-anchored receptor (uPAR) initiates signal transduction, adhesion, and migration in certain cell types. To determine whether some of these activities may be mediated by associations between the uPA/uPAR complex and other cell surface proteins, we studied the binding of complexes composed of recombinant, soluble uPA receptor (suPAR) and single chain uPA (scuPA) to a cell line (LM-TK- fibroblasts) that does not express glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI)-anchored proteins to eliminate potential competition by endogenous uPA receptors. scuPA induced the binding of suPAR to LM-TK- cells. Binding of labeled suPAR/scuPA was inhibited by unlabeled complex, but not by scuPA or suPAR added separately, indicating cellular binding sites had been formed that are not present in either component. Binding of the complex was inhibited by low molecular weight uPA (LMW-uPA) indicating exposure of an epitope found normally in the isolated B chain of two chain uPA (tcuPA), but hidden in soluble scuPA. Binding of LMW-uPA was independent of its catalytic site and was associated with retention of its enzymatic activity. Additional cell binding epitopes were generated within suPAR itself by the aminoterminal fragment of scuPA, which itself does not bind to LM-TK- cells. When scuPA bound to suPAR, a binding site for alpha 2-macroglobulin receptor/LDL receptor-related protein (alpha 2 MR/LRP) was lost, while binding sites for cell-associated vitronectin and thrombospondin were induced. In accord with this, the internalization and degradation of cell-associated tcuPA and tcuPA-PAI-1 complexes proceeded less efficiently in the presence of suPAR. Further, little degradation of suPAR was detected, suggesting that cell-bound complex dissociated during the initial stages of endocytosis. Thus, the interaction of scuPA with its receptor causes multiple functional changes within the complex including the dis-appearance of an epitope in scuPA involved in its clearance from the cell surface and the generation of novel epitopes that promote its binding to proteins involved in cell adhesion and signal transduction.

Urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPA) is synthesized as single-chain protein (scuPA) with little intrinsic activity. scuPA is activated when it is converted to two-chain urokinase (tcuPA) by plasmin or when it binds as a single-chain molecule to its cellular receptor (uPAR). Previous data indicate that complexes between scuPA and its receptor have somewhat higher affinity for plasminogen than does tcuPA. The current study indicates that plasminogen activator activity of scuPA bound to recombinant, soluble uPAR (suPAR) is also fivefold less sensitive to inhibition by plasminogen activator type 1 (PAI-1) than is soluble or receptor-bound tcuPA. Binding of PaI-1 to suPAR/scuPA complexes is totally reversible and can be overcome by increasing the concentration of plasminogen, suggesting a competitive mechanism of inhibition (Ki = 18 nmol/L). Binding of scuPA to suPAR also retards its cleavage by plasmin. These results indicates that binding of single-chain urokinase to its receptor promotes its activity, retards its inhibition, and protects it from conversion to a two-chain form of the enzyme, a step that may precede its inactivation and clearance from cell surfaces. These results are consistent with a physiologic role for receptor-bound single-chain urokinase as a cellular plasminogen activator.

Single-chain urokinase (scuPA), the unique form of urokinase secreted by cells, is converted to an active two-chain molecule through the cleavage of a single peptide bond by plasmin and other specific proteinases. Although scuPA may express limited enzymatic activity, its contribution to plasminogen activation on cell surfaces remains uncertain. Further, although it is well known that scuPA binds to a specific extracellular urokinase-type plasminogen activator receptor, the effect of this interaction on the enzymatic activity of scuPA has not been described. In the present paper we report that the binding of scuPA to cellular an to recombinant soluble urokinase-type plasminogen activator receptors (suPAR) increases its catalytic activity as measured by the cleavage of a urokinase-specific chromogenic substrate. suPAR increased the Vmax of scuPA 5-fold with little change in its Km. suPAR also stimulated the plasminogen activator activity of scuPA by decreasing its Km for Glu-plasminogen from 1.15 microM to 0.022 microM and by increasing the kcat of this reaction from 0.0015 to 0.022 s-1. Preincubation of scuPA with suPAR also enhances its susceptibility to inhibition by plasminogen activator inhibitor type 1, consistent with exposure of its catalytic site. The activity of scuPA bound to suPAR is not accompanied by cleavage of scuPA, which continues to migrate as a single band in SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis under reducing conditions. Moreover, suPAR increases the plasminogen activator activity of a plasmin-insensitive variant, scuPA (scuPA-Glu158), as well. Enhancement of scuPA activity by suPAR is both prevented and reversed by its aminoterminal fragment (amino acids 1-135), which competes for receptor binding, suggesting that continued binding to the receptor is required for expression of scuPA's enzymatic activity. Thus, our data suggest that scuPA may undergo a reversible transformation between a latent and an active state. The urokinase receptor may induce or stabilize scuPA in its active conformation, thereby contributing to the initiation of plasminogen activation on cell surfaces.

Nerve growth factor-gamma (NGF-gamma) is a serine proteinase which reversibly associates with the well characterized neurotrophin NGF-beta. In this study, we demonstrated that NGF-gamma cleaves recombinant single chain urokinase-type plasminogen activator (scu-PA), converting the zymogen into a two-chain form (tcu-PA). The apparent masses of the two u-PA chains were 33 and 22 kDa, as determined by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE). There was no evidence for secondary cleavage sites or further digestion of tcu-PA by NGF-gamma, even when conversion of scu-PA was complete. The NH2-terminal sequence of the 33-kDa band was Ile-Ile-Gly-Gly-Glu, indicating that NGF-gamma cleaved scu-PA at Lys158-Ile159, the plasmin cleavage site. Cleavage of scu-PA by NGF-gamma resulted in scu-PA activation. The kcat and Km for this reaction, as determined in a continuous assay with the tcu-PA-specific substrate L-pyroglutamyl-glycyl-arginine-p-nitroanilide hydrochloride (S-2444), were (4.1 +/- 0.6) x 10(-2) s-1 and 2.3 +/- 0.4 microM, respectively. The catalytic efficiency (kcat/Km) for scu-PA activation by NGF-gamma was 1.3 x 10(4) M-1 s-1, compared with 6.2 x 10(5) M-1 s-1 for the activation of scu-PA by plasmin. NGF-gamma-cleaved scu-PA which was bound to receptors on U937 monocytoid cells. The apparent masses of the resulting u-PA cleavage products were identical to those generated in solution as determined by SDS-PAGE. Cell-associated scu-PA was activated by NGF-gamma, as determined by the generation of activity against the tcu-PA-specific fluorogenic substrate, glutamyl-glycyl-arginine-7-amino-4-methyl coumarin. By activating scu-PA, NGF-gamma may initiate the u-PA-dependent cell-surface proteinase cascade and support NGF-beta activities which involve cellular migration and/or extracellular matrix remodeling.

The receptor for plasmin and the receptor for urokinase-type plasminogen activator were characterized on MCF 7 cells either independently or simultaneously, using fluorescence microscopy and confocal microscopy. The plasmin receptor was visualized, as previously described by Correc et al. (Int. J. Cancer 50, 767, 1992) using biotinylated plasminogen and fluoresceinated streptavidin. The urokinase receptor was revealed by both polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies reacting specifically with this receptor and by binding of urokinase aminoterminal fragment. On unfixed cells, these methods gave the same heterogeneous patterns of surface staining, consisting of contours and grains, localized mainly at the upper nonadherent face of the tumor cells by confocal microscopy. Only a part of the cells was stained. When both receptors were characterized together, their presence was found on the same cells and they gave almost superimposable patterns in many cases, as shown by confocal microscopy. In contrast, when MCF 7 cells were fixed or permeabilized before staining, quite different patterns were observed: almost all the cells were labeled. The staining was mainly cytoplasmic and localized preferentially in the center and close to the upper face of the cells. Similar results were found with antiserum against urokinase receptor and monoclonal antivinculin antibody. It is likely that the receptor for urokinase and the receptor for plasmin have similar localizations on MCF 7 cells, thus resulting in a functional cooperation.

We previously reported that extracellular matrix invasion by the prostate cancer cell lines, PC-3 and DU-145 was contingent on endogenous urokinase being bound to a specific cell surface receptor. The present study was undertaken to characterize the expression of both urokinase and its receptor in the non-invasive LNCaP and the invasive PC-3 and DU-145 prostate cells. Northern blotting indicated that the invasive PC-3 cells, which secreted 10 times more urokinase (680 ng/ml per 10(6) cells per 48 h) than DU-145 cells (63 ng/ml per 10(6) cells per 48 h), had the most abundant transcript for the plasminogen activator. This, at least, partly reflected a 3 fold amplification of the urokinase gene in the PC-3 cells. In contrast, urokinase-specific transcript could not be detected in the non-invasive LNCaP cells previously characterized as being negative for urokinase protein. Southern blotting indicated that this was not a consequence of deletion of the urokinase gene. Crosslinking of radiolabelled aminoterminal fragment of urokinase to the cell surface indicated the presence of a 51 kDa receptor in extracts of the invasive PC-3 and DU-145 cells but not in extracts of the non-invasive LNCaP cells. The amount of binding protein correlated well with binding capacities calculated by Scatchard analysis. In contrast, the steady state level of urokinase receptor transcript was a poor predictor of receptor display. PC-3 cells, which were equipped with 25,000 receptors per cell had 2.5 fold more steady state transcript than DU-145 cells which displayed 93,000 binding sites per cell.

There is now ample evidence that the proteolytic action of urokinase (UK) is potentiated by a specific cell surface receptor. The present study was undertaken to determine the role of UK as a modulator of its binding site. GEO colonic cells, which secrete low levels of UK (approximately 2.5 ng/ml per 72 h per 10(6) cells) and display approx. 10(4) receptors per cell, the majority of which are vacant, were transfected with an exogenous UK gene driven by the RSV long terminal repeat (LTR) promoter (pRSVUK). Several UK-overexpressing pRSVUK clones were identified by an e.l.i.s.a., Northern blotting and Southern blotting, and analysed for receptor numbers after an acid pretreatment which dissociates receptor-bound UK. pRSVUK GEO clones, expressing high levels of UK, consistently bound 50-75% less radioactive di-isopropylfluorophosphate (DFP)-UK than clones harbouring the selectable marker gene neo only or control GEO cells. Cross-linking experiments with a radioactive N-terminal fragment of UK which binds to the receptor showed a decreased amount of a binding protein of approx. 51 kDa in representative pRSVUK-transfected cells. Saturation and Scatchard analysis indicated that this reduction in radioligand binding reflected a 40-70% decrease in the number of UK receptors, rather than a change in the dissociation constant. The reduction in receptor display could be accounted for by a decrease in the amount of steady-state mRNA encoding the receptor. Radioactive DFP-UK binding to pRSVUK GEO clones, which display two-thirds less receptors than their neo counterparts, could be restored to control levels (untreated cells harbouring neo) by cultivating them in the presence of an antibody which inhibits the interaction of UK with its receptor. These data suggest that for one colonic cell line at least, UK reduces the expression of its own binding site via an autocrine stimulation of its cell surface receptor.

High molecular weight urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPA) in which proteolytic activity was inactivated (diisopropyl fluorophosphate (DFP)-uPA), its amino-terminal fragment (ATF, amino acids (aa) 1-143), and fucosylated and defucosylated growth factor domains (GFD, aa 4-43) were tested for growth-promoting effects and binding in human SaOS-2 osteosarcoma cells and U-937 lymphoma cells. DFP-uPA, ATF, and both the fucosylated and defucosylated GFD were capable of competing with 125I-ATF for binding to both SaOS-2 and U-937 cells. DFP-uPA, ATF, and fucosylated GFD were also mitogenic in SaOS-2 cells and increased cell numbers. However, defucosylated GFD was nonmitogenic in SaOS-2 cells and did not stimulate cell proliferation, even though it bound to these cells in a manner equivalent to the fucosylated GFD. A nonglycosylated high molecular weight uPA expressed and purified from Escherichia coli inhibited 125I-ATF binding to SaOS-2 cells but was also nonmitogenic. No mitogenic activity was observed in U-937 cells treated with the uPA forms capable of eliciting a mitogenic response in SaOS-2 cells. Proteolytically prepared kringle domain (aa 47-135) and low molecular weight uPA (aa 144-411) did not compete for 125I-ATF binding and did not elicit any mitogenic response in either of the cell lines tested. In addition, tissue plasminogen activator (tPA), which has been shown to be homologous to uPA in its growth factor domain and is also fucosylated, did not inhibit 125I-ATF binding nor elicit any mitogenic response. These results demonstrate that the GFD, implicated in binding to the uPA receptor, is also responsible for growth factor like activity in SaOS-2 cells and that the fucosylation at Thr18 within this domain may serve as a molecular trigger in eliciting this response.

The processes of implantation and placentation are both dependent on the invasion and remodeling of the uterine endometrium and vasculature by trophoblasts. Because the secretion and autocrine binding of urokinase (uPA) appears to be a common mechanism used by cells to facilitate plasmin-dependent tissue invasion, we measured the production of uPA and expression of uPA receptors by trophoblasts. Prourokinase bound specifically, reversibly, and with high affinity to cultured trophoblasts, via the uPA epidermal growth factor-like domain. Trophoblasts derived from two first-trimester placentae bound more prourokinase than cells isolated from term placentae. Furthermore, in vitro differentiation of cultured cytotrophoblasts into syncytiotrophoblasts was associated with diminished expression of urokinase receptors and a parallel decrease in the cellular content of uPA receptor mRNA. Trophoblasts also secreted prourokinase and plasminogen activator inhibitors types 1 and 2 (PAI-1 and PAI-2). Although prourokinase was secreted in amounts sufficient to endogenously saturate trophoblast uPA receptors, trophoblasts secreted greater amounts of PAI-1 and PAI-2 than uPA, and no net plasminogen activator activity was detected in trophoblast conditioned medium. In contrast, plasminogen added directly to cultured trophoblasts was readily converted to plasmin. Although the invasion and remodeling of uterine tissues by trophoblasts is a complex process dependent on several proteases of varying specificity, our findings suggest that the expression and modulation of urokinase receptors on the trophoblast cell surface may play an important role in this process.

We have investigated the role of urokinase (UK) and its cell-surface receptor in determining the invasiveness of prostate cancer cells. Three human cell lines, DU-145, PC-3 and LNCaP, that differ in androgen-responsiveness and growth characteristics, were tested. Analysis of the conditioned medium by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay showed secretion of UK by DU-145 (63 ng/mL/10(6) cells/48 hr) and PC-3 (682 ng/mL/10(6) cells/48 hr), but absence of secretion by LNCaP cells. Western blot analysis and enzyme activity assay of the conditioned medium confirmed these results. Scatchard analysis of radioligand binding with acid pretreated cells showed the presence of a single population of high affinity UK receptors on DU-145 cells (93,000 sites/cell, Kd = 0.9 nM) and PC-3 cells (25,000 sites/cell, Kd = 1.0 nM) but not on LNCaP cells. DU-145 and PC-3 cells were found to be highly invasive in in vitro invasion assays: 4.5 +/- 0.5% and 6.5 +/- 0.5%, respectively, of total tumor cells (approximately 2 x 10(5)) had penetrated reconstituted basement membrane (Matrigel) in a 72 hr incubation in serum-free growth medium. Under similar conditions, less than 0.25% LNCaP cells invaded Matrigel. The data indicate that androgen unresponsive, aggressive prostate tumor cells of high metastatic potential, DU-145 and PC-3, secrete UK and display cell-surface UK receptors, fully charged with the protease. Conversely, relatively indolent LNCaP cells of low metastatic potential do not secrete UK nor do they possess its binding sites. UK receptor antagonists, UK 12-32 and UK 6-135, which compete with labeled UK for binding to prostatic cells but do not inhibit cellular proliferation or UK secretion, markedly reduced DU-145 and PC-3 cell invasion (80-85% inhibition), thereby suggesting an important role of receptor-bound UK in prostate tumor cell invasion.

Human umbilical vein endothelial cells in culture (HUVEC) express receptors for urokinase-type plasminogen activators (u-PA). The immunochemical nature of this receptor and its relationship to u-PA receptors expressed by other cell types is unknown. Cross-linking active site-blocked u-PA to HUVEC lead to an increase in its apparent molecular mass by approximately 40 Kd. The predominant u-PA binding protein isolated from whole cell detergent extracts migrated with a molecular mass of approximately 36 Kd using affinity chromatography. In contrast, when only cell surface proteins were radiolabeled before extraction, the predominant labeled u-PA binding protein isolated migrated with a molecular mass of approximately 46 Kd. Several pieces of evidence suggested that the difference in molecular mass between these two u-PA binding proteins resulted from glycosylation of a single receptor protein. First, a polyclonal antibody against u-PA receptor isolated from phorbol myristate acetate (PMA) stimulated U-937 cells reacted with both the 36- and 46-Kd proteins on Western blotting. Second, the size of the unmodified receptor was estimated by amplifying a full-length cDNA for u-PA receptor from an endothelial cell cDNA library using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and oligonucleotide primers corresponding to the DNA sequence of the receptor cloned from transformed human fibroblasts (Roldan et al, EMBO J 9:467, 1990). The size of the cDNA (approximately 1,054 base pairs, bp) and the presence of a single 1.4-kilobase (Kb) mRNA transcript on Northern blot analysis predict an unglycosylated receptor protein of approximately 35 Kd. Third, synthesis of 35S-labeled 46-Kd cell surface receptor protein was inhibited when the cells were grown in the presence of tunicamycin, while the synthesis of the 36-Kd species was unaffected. Moreover, the apparent molecular mass of purified surface-labeled receptor (approximately 46 Kd) was reduced by N-glycanase. These studies suggest that the u-PA receptor on the surface of HUVEC is a glycoprotein derived from a protein of approximately 35 Kd which is similar immunologically to u-PA receptors on other cell types.

The interaction of urokinase-type plasminogen activators with receptors on the surface of endothelial cells may play an important role in the regulation of fibrinolysis and cell migration. Therefore, we investigated whether human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) express receptors for single-chain urokinase (scu-PA) on the cell surface and examined the effect of such binding on plasminogen activator activity. Binding of 125I-labeled scu-PA to HUVEC, performed at 4 degrees C, was saturable, reversible, and specific (k+1 4 +/- 1 X 10(6) min-1 M-1, k-1 6.2 +/- 1.4 X 10(-3) min-1, Kd 2.8 +/- 0.1 nM; Bmax 2.2 +/- 0.1 X 10(5) sites/cell; mean +/- S.E.). Binding of radiolabeled scu-PA was inhibited by both natural and recombinant wild-type scu-PA, high molecular weight two-chain u-PA (tcu-PA), catalytic site-inactivated tcu-PA, an amino-terminal fragment of u-PA (amino acids 1-143), and a smaller peptide (amino acids 4-42) corresponding primarily to the epidermal growth factor-like domain. Binding was not inhibited by low molecular weight urokinase or by a recombinant scu-PA missing amino acids 9-45. Cell-bound scu-PA migrated at its native molecular mass on sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. In the presence of plasminogen, scu-PA bound to endothelial cells generated greater plasmin activity than did scu-PA in the absence of cells. In contrast, when tcu-PA was added directly to HUVEC, sodium dodecyl sulfate-stable complexes formed with cell or matrix-associated plasminogen activator inhibitors with a loss of plasminogen activator activity. These studies suggest that endothelial cells in culture express high affinity binding sites for the epidermal growth factor domain of scu-PA. Interaction of scu-PA with these receptors may permit plasminogen activator activity to be expressed at discrete sites on the endothelial cell membrane.