Biomaterial Database

Urokinase and tissue-type plasminogen activators are present in breast cyst fluids. 1988

I R Macgregor, and W R Miller

Scottish National Blood Transfusion Service, Headquarters Unit Laboratory, Edinburgh, U.K.

Breast cyst fluids obtained by needle aspiration from 20 patients were analysed for the presence of urokinase-like (u-PA) and tissue-type (t-PA) plasminogen activators. Plasminogen, the natural substrate for these PAs, was also measured. u-PA activity was detected in 18 samples (mean +/- S.D. = 1.11 +/- 1.08 IU ml-1) and t-PA activity in 16 samples (0.35 +/- 0.28 IU ml-1). Plasminogen was detected in 10 samples (mean = 37 micrograms ml-1), range 28-85 micrograms ml-1) and was below the assay detection limit in the other samples. While both u-PA and t-PA specific activities were greater in the 10 cyst fluids categorized as Group A (Na+ to K+ concentration ratio less than 4) than in the 10 samples categorized in Group B (Na+ to K+ concentration ratio greater than 4), the differences were not statistically significant. Nevertheless, this is the first evidence that u-PA and t-PA are present in active forms in breast cyst fluids. The significance of such activities must be hypothetical, but it is possible that a study of factors influencing the levels of u-PA and t-PA within the breast may yield information about pathophysiology of cystic and other diseases of the breast.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D010958	Plasminogen	Precursor of plasmin (FIBRINOLYSIN). It is a single-chain beta-globulin of molecular weight 80-90,000 found mostly in association with fibrinogen in plasma; plasminogen activators change it to fibrinolysin. It is used in wound debriding and has been investigated as a thrombolytic agent.	Profibrinolysin,Glu-Plasminogen,Glutamic Acid 1-Plasminogen,Glutamyl Plasminogen,1-Plasminogen, Glutamic Acid,Glu Plasminogen,Glutamic Acid 1 Plasminogen,Plasminogen, Glutamyl
D010959	Tissue Plasminogen Activator	A proteolytic enzyme in the serine protease family found in many tissues which converts PLASMINOGEN to FIBRINOLYSIN. It has fibrin-binding activity and is immunologically different from UROKINASE-TYPE PLASMINOGEN ACTIVATOR. The primary sequence, composed of 527 amino acids, is identical in both the naturally occurring and synthetic proteases.	Alteplase,Plasminogen Activator, Tissue-Type,T-Plasminogen Activator,Tissue-Type Plasminogen Activator,Actilyse,Activase,Lysatec rt-PA,TTPA,Tisokinase,Tissue Activator D-44,Lysatec rt PA,Lysatec rtPA,Plasminogen Activator, Tissue,Plasminogen Activator, Tissue Type,T Plasminogen Activator,Tissue Activator D 44,Tissue Type Plasminogen Activator
D010960	Plasminogen Activators	A heterogeneous group of proteolytic enzymes that convert PLASMINOGEN to FIBRINOLYSIN. They are concentrated in the lysosomes of most cells and in the vascular endothelium, particularly in the vessels of the microcirculation.	Extrinsic Plasminogen Activators,Plasminogen Activator,Uterine-Tissue Plasminogen Activator,Uterine Tissue Plasminogen Activator
D011188	Potassium	An element in the alkali group of metals with an atomic symbol K, atomic number 19, and atomic weight 39.10. It is the chief cation in the intracellular fluid of muscle and other cells. Potassium ion is a strong electrolyte that plays a significant role in the regulation of fluid volume and maintenance of the WATER-ELECTROLYTE BALANCE.
D004792	Enzyme Precursors	Physiologically inactive substances that can be converted to active enzymes.	Enzyme Precursor,Proenzyme,Proenzymes,Zymogen,Zymogens,Precursor, Enzyme,Precursors, Enzyme
D005260	Female		Females
D005348	Fibrocystic Breast Disease	A common and benign breast disease characterized by varying degree of fibrocystic changes in the breast tissue. There are three major patterns of morphological changes, including FIBROSIS, formation of CYSTS, and proliferation of glandular tissue (adenosis). The fibrocystic breast has a dense irregular, lumpy, bumpy consistency.	Breast Dysplasia,Fibrocystic Mastopathy,Mammary Dysplasia,Adenosis of Breast,Chronic Cystic Mastitis,Cystic Breast Disease,Cystic Disease of Breast,Fibrocystic Changes of Breast,Fibrocystic Disease of Breast,Microglandular Adenosis,Adenoses, Microglandular,Adenosis, Microglandular,Breast Adenosis,Breast Cystic Disease,Breast Cystic Diseases,Breast Disease, Cystic,Breast Disease, Fibrocystic,Breast Fibrocystic Change,Breast Fibrocystic Changes,Breast Fibrocystic Disease,Cystic Mastitis, Chronic,Disease, Cystic Breast,Disease, Fibrocystic Breast,Dysplasia, Breast,Dysplasia, Mammary,Mastopathy, Fibrocystic,Microglandular Adenoses
D006801	Humans	Members of the species Homo sapiens.	Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D012964	Sodium	A member of the alkali group of metals. It has the atomic symbol Na, atomic number 11, and atomic weight 23.	Sodium Ion Level,Sodium-23,Ion Level, Sodium,Level, Sodium Ion,Sodium 23
D014568	Urokinase-Type Plasminogen Activator	A proteolytic enzyme that converts PLASMINOGEN to FIBRINOLYSIN where the preferential cleavage is between ARGININE and VALINE. It was isolated originally from human URINE, but is found in most tissues of most VERTEBRATES.	Plasminogen Activator, Urokinase-Type,U-Plasminogen Activator,Urinary Plasminogen Activator,Urokinase,Abbokinase,Kidney Plasminogen Activator,Renokinase,Single-Chain Urokinase-Type Plasminogen Activator,U-PA,Single Chain Urokinase Type Plasminogen Activator,U Plasminogen Activator,Urokinase Type Plasminogen Activator