Human Plasminogen Activator, Urokinase (uPA) ELISA Kit

Urokinase-type Plasminogen Activator (uPA) is a serine protease that catalyzes the conversion of plasminogen to plasmin, driving fibrinolysis and extracellular matrix remodeling in both physiological and pathological contexts. This quantitative immunoassay from Assay Genie is engineered for the specific measurement of human uPA, with reactivity validated exclusively against the human protein target. The workflow relies on a matched antibody pair immobilized on a microplate to capture uPA from the specimen, followed by an enzyme-conjugated detection antibody that produces a measurable color change proportional to antigen concentration.

The kit supports up to 96 individual determinations in a single plate run, integrating with standard microplate absorbance readers. Compatible specimen types span EDTA and heparin plasma, fresh or frozen tissue homogenates prepared with protease inhibitor cocktails, adherent and suspension cell lysates, and clarified cell culture supernatants, giving researchers flexibility across cell-based, tissue-based, and biofluid study designs.

uPA quantification is particularly relevant in cancer research, where elevated tumor uPA levels are an established prognostic indicator in node-negative breast cancer and have been linked to invasive behavior in lung, colorectal, and prostate malignancies. The assay also supports investigations of wound healing, angiogenesis, thrombotic disorders, and inflammatory cascades where the plasminogen activation system plays a regulatory role. Intended for research use only, the kit is well-suited to translational biomarker studies, mechanistic pathway analyses, and pharmacological screens targeting the uPA/uPAR signaling axis.