Urokinase-type plasminogen activator receptor messenger RNA (uPAR mRNA)

Urokinase-type plasminogen activator receptor (uPAR) messenger RNA is the transcript of the PLAUR gene, which encodes the uPAR protein (CD87), a key regulator of extracellular matrix degradation and cell signaling (UniProt: P05106). The uPAR protein is a GPI-anchored receptor that binds urokinase (uPA), facilitating the conversion of plasminogen to plasmin and promoting tissue remodeling (PMID: 28651545). In various cancers, uPAR mRNA is highly overexpressed, correlating with increased tumor invasiveness, metastasis, and poor clinical prognosis (PMID: 11507054). Beyond oncology, uPAR mRNA levels are elevated in inflammatory and fibrotic diseases, where the receptor modulates immune cell recruitment and tissue repair. Targeting the uPAR mRNA transcript using RNA-based therapeutics, such as small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) or antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs), provides a method to downregulate uPAR protein expression at the source (PMID: 15623463). These strategies aim to disrupt the uPA/uPAR signaling axis, thereby inhibiting the proteolytic and migratory capabilities of diseased cells. While primarily in the preclinical stages, uPAR mRNA-targeted therapies represent a promising approach for treating aggressive malignancies and chronic inflammatory conditions.

Other names

PLAUR mRNACD87 mRNAU-PAR mRNAUrokinase-type plasminogen activator receptor transcriptPlasminogen activator, urokinase receptor mRNA

RNA interference (siRNA) or RNase H-mediated degradation (ASO) of the mRNA transcript to inhibit protein translation (PMID: 15623463, PMID: 11507054).