Full name: plasminogen activator, urokinase

Gene type: protein coding

RefSeq status: REVIEWED

Also known as: ATF; BDPLT5; QPD; UPA; URK; u-PA

Summary: This gene encodes a secreted serine protease that converts plasminogen to plasmin. The encoded preproprotein is proteolytically processed to generate A and B polypeptide chains. These chains associate via a single disulfide bond to form the catalytically inactive high molecular weight urokinase-type plasminogen activator (HMW-uPA). HMW-uPA can be further processed into the catalytically active low molecular weight urokinase-type plasminogen activator (LMW-uPA). This low molecular weight form does not bind to the urokinase-type plasminogen activator receptor. Mutations in this gene may be associated with Quebec platelet disorder and late-onset Alzheimer's disease. Alternative splicing results in multiple transcript variants, at least one of which encodes an isoform that is proteolytically processed. [provided by RefSeq, Jan 2016]

Expression: Broad expression in appendix (RPKM 23.1), urinary bladder (RPKM 22.7) and 23 other tissues

Gene size: 8331bp

Exon count: 12