Modulation of the urokinase-type plasminogen activator receptor by the beta 6 integrin subunit

Nafisa Dalvi, Gareth J. Thomas, John F. Marshall, Mark Morgan, Rosemary Bass, Vincent Ellis, Paul M. Speight, Simon A. Whawell

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

16 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Over-expression of components of the urokinase system is well documented in cancer and is thought to enable tumour cells to migrate and invade. Changes in integrin expression are also a common feature of tumours and have been linked to changes in protease activity. It has been shown that the *vβ6 integrin is neo-expressed in a number of epithelial carcinomas and in wound healing situations. We therefore investigated whether *vβ6 is able to modulate a key regulator of proteolysis, the urokinase receptor. We report that epithelial cells expressing full-length *vβ6 exhibit decreased urokinase receptor expression and function. Furthermore, this novel modulation requires the C-terminal 11 amino acids of the cytoplasmic tail of the β6 integrin subunit. Cells expressing *vβ3, however, did not affect urokinase receptor expression. De novo expression of β6 by melanoma cells and β3 by epithelial cells did not influence urokinase receptor expression or function, suggesting that modulation of urokinase system is both integrin subunit and cell-specific.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)92-99
Number of pages8
JournalBiochemical and Biophysical Research Communications
Volume317
Issue number1
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2004

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