Uroplakin 3a (UPK3A)

Uroplakin 3a is a single-pass transmembrane protein (~47 kDa) of the uroplakin family, localized to the apical membrane of urothelial cells lining the urinary tract (bladder, ureter, renal pelvis). It forms heterodimers with uroplakin 1b, contributing to the assembly of the asymmetric unit membrane (AUM) plaques that create the specialized and highly impermeable urothelial barrier. Beyond its structural role, Uroplakin 3a participates in epithelial cell polarization, morphogenesis, and may regulate cell signaling linked to proliferation and apoptosis. Mutations and altered expression are associated with a spectrum of urinary tract pathologies, especially cancer and renal development disorders. It is widely used as a biomarker for urothelial differentiation, particularly in the diagnosis of bladder cancer and monitoring urothelial health. If you need further specificity regarding isoforms (UPK3A vs. UPK3B) or its application in drug development, there is no evidence for any clinically approved or experimental drugs directly modulating Uroplakin 3a according to current literature.

Other names

Uroplakin-3aUPK3AUPK3UP3aUPIIIUroplakin IIIUP3AUPIIIAuroplakin-3auroplakin 3uroplakin III

Not applicable—no known direct drugs; mechanisms suggested include use as a disease marker and potentially antibody-mediated detection or targeting strategies in diagnostic contexts