Tumor promoter PMA stimulates the synthesis and secretion of mouse pro‐urokinase in MSV‐transformed 3T3 cells: this is mediated by an increase in urokinase mRNA content

• Published in: The EMBO journal 1984-08, Vol.3 (8), p.1901-1906
• Main Authors: Belin, D., Godeau, F., Vassalli, J.D.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Animals; Carcinogens - pharmacology; Cell Line; Cell Transformation, Viral; Enzyme Precursors - biosynthesis; Female; Fibroblasts - metabolism; Gene Expression Regulation - drug effects; Mice; Oocytes - metabolism; Phorbols - pharmacology; RNA, Messenger - biosynthesis; Tetradecanoylphorbol Acetate - pharmacology; Urokinase-Type Plasminogen Activator - biosynthesis; Urokinase-Type Plasminogen Activator - genetics; Urokinase-Type Plasminogen Activator - metabolism; Xenopus laevis
• ISSN: 0261-4189; 1460-2075
• DOI: 10.1002/j.1460-2075.1984.tb02065.x

In mouse MSV‐3T3 cells the synthesis of the urokinase form of plasminogen activator was increased 10‐fold after addition of the tumor promoter phorbol‐12‐myristate‐13‐acetate (PMA). PMA also stimulated the secretion of the protein into the culture medium, mostly in the form of enzymatically inactive pro‐urokinase. When assayed by injecting RNA into Xenopus laevis oocytes, the concentration of functional urokinase mRNA was found to be 6‐ to 10‐fold higher in the PMA‐treated cells; a similar increase in urokinase mRNA content was measured by hybridisation with a mouse urokinase cDNA probe. Thus, the induction of plasminogen activator by PMA in MSV‐3T3 cells is accounted for by an increased content of urokinase mRNA.