uPA siRNA

uPA siRNA (urokinase-type plasminogen activator small interfering RNA) is a gene-silencing therapeutic modality designed to knock down the expression of the PLAU gene, which encodes the urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPA). uPA is a serine protease that converts plasminogen to plasmin, facilitating extracellular matrix degradation and promoting cell migration and tissue remodeling. In oncology, uPA is frequently overexpressed and is a key driver of tumor invasion, metastasis, and resistance to therapies such as sorafenib. Preclinical studies have demonstrated that silencing uPA via siRNA can inhibit the proliferation and migration of various cancer cells, including hepatocellular, prostate, and pancreatic carcinomas, while also sensitizing them to apoptosis. Additionally, uPA siRNA has been utilized in research to investigate the role of the fibrinolytic system in metabolic diseases, such as type 2 diabetes and vascular inflammation, where it may influence insulin secretion and monocyte adhesion.

Other names

urokinase-type plasminogen activator siRNAurokinase plasminogen activator siRNA