Background：PLAU(Urokinase-type plasminogen activator) is also named as uPA and belongs to the peptidase S1 family.UPA initiates a proteolytic cascade, which degrades extracellular matrix during tissue growth and remodelling.The secreted proform of UPA is activated after binding to a specific high affinity cell surface receptor. Secreted UPA is exposed to rapid inactivation in the pericellular space by plasminogen activator inhibitor-1(PAI-1), which is stored in the extracellular matrix bound to vitronectin(PMID:9665342).It has 2 isoforms produced by alternative splicing.Defects in PLAU are the cause of Quebec platelet disorder(QPD).
