General description

Urokinase (Urokinase-type plasminogen activator, uPA, EC 3.4.21.73) is a serine protease involved in the degradation of extracellular matrix components. It cleaves the Arg-Val bond in plasminogen and converts it to plasmin. The activity of uPA is important in tumor cell proliferation and migration. Polymorphisms in uPA gene are reportedly associated with Alzheimer′s disease.

Principle

The Urokinase Inhibitor Screening Kit is a rapid, simple and sensitive assay that is suitable for the screening of Urokinase inhibitors. Urokinase activity is measured by cleaving a synthetic 7-amino-4-trifluoromethylcoumarin (AFC)-based substrate to yield AFC, a fluorescent product (λ_ex = 350/ λ_em = 450 nm), proportional to the enzymatic activity present.

Suitability

Suitable for the screening of inhibitors of Urokinase.