Molecular-specific urokinase antibodies

A method of determining total urokinase concentration in a sample containing either or both active and inactive forms of urokinase, comprising:

• obtaining a peptide as in any of Seq. ID Nos. 1-6;
• obtaining a peptide as in any of Seq. ID Nos. 7-12;
• obtaining a peptide as in any of Seq. ID No. 13-14;
• obtaining an immunological composition selected from the group of immunological compositions consisting of an antisera, an antibody, a hybridoma, or a supernatant of a hybridoma, said immunological compositions each obtained via injection into a mammal of said peptide;
• contacting aliquots of said sample with each of said immunological compositions;
• and,
• determining the quantity of each of said immunological compositions which is bound to at least one of said forms of urokinase in each of said aliquots, wherein said determination of the quantity of each of said immunological compositions is carried out by:
• determining the amount of low molecular weight urokinase in said sample which binds to one or more of said immunological compositions directed against said peptide corresponding to a sequence in Seq. ID No. 16 between amino acid residues 159 and 411, but which does not bind to one or more of said immunological compositions directed against said peptide corresponding to a sequence in Seq. ID No. 16 between amino acid residues 1 and 135;
• determining the amount of high molecular weight urokinase in said sample which binds to one or more of said immunological compositions directed against said peptide corresponding to a sequence in Seq. ID No. 16 between amino acid residues 1 and 135 or between amino acid residues 159 and 411, but which does not bind to one or more of said immunological compositions directed against said peptide corresponding to a sequence in Seq. ID No. 16 which includes amino acid residues 158 and 159;
• and,
• determining the amount of urokinase zymogen in said sample which binds to one or more of said immunological compositions directed against said peptide corresponding to a sequence in Seq. ID No. 16 which includes amino acid residues 158 and 159.

A kit for determining total urokinase concentration in a sample containing either or both active and inactive forms of urokinase, comprising:

• immunological compositions, selected from the group of immunological compositions consisting of an antisera, an antibody, a hybridoma, or a supernatant of a hybridoma;
• said immunological compositions each obtained via injection into a mammal of a peptide directed against each of a set of peptides including:
• a first peptide corresponding to a sequence in Seq. ID No. 16 between amino acid residues 1 and 135, a second peptide corresponding to a sequence in Seq. ID No. 16 between amino acid residues 159 and 411, and a third peptide corresponding to a sequence in Seq. ID No. 16 which includes amino acid residues 158 and 159;
• and,
• instructions for contacting aliquots of said sample with each of said immunological compositions, and determining the quantity of each of said immunological compositions which is bound to at least one of said forms of urokinase in each of said aliquots.

A kit for determining total urokinase concentration in a sample containing either or both of active and inactive forms of urokinase, comprising:

• immunological compositions directed against each of a set of peptides including:
• a first peptide as in any of Seq. ID Nos. 1-6, a second peptide as in any of Seq. ID Nos. 7-12, and a third peptide as in any of Seq. ID No. 13-14;
• and,
• instructions for contacting separate aliquots of said sample with each of said immunological compositions, and determining the quantity of each of said immunological compositions which is bound to at least one of said forms of urokinase in each of said aliquots, wherein said instruction direct the user to:
• determine the amount of low molecular weight urokinase in said sample which binds to one or more of said immunological compositions directed against said peptide corresponding to a sequence in Seq. ID No. 16 between amino acid residues 159 and 411, but which does not bind to one or more of said immunological compositions directed against said peptide corresponding to a sequence in Seq. ID No. 16 between amino acid residues 1 and 135;
• determine the amount of high molecular weight urokinase in said sample which binds to one or more of said immunological compositions directed against said peptide corresponding to a sequence in Seq. ID No. 16 between amino acid residues 1 and 135 or between amino acid residues 159 and 411, but which does not bind to one or more of said immunological compositions directed against said peptide corresponding to a sequence in Seq. ID No. 16 which includes amino acid residues 158 and 159;
• and,
• determine the amount of urokinase zymogen in said sample which binds to one or more of said immunological compositions directed against said peptide corresponding to a sequence in Seq. ID No. 16 which includes amino acid residues 158 and 159.