Plasmin

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Plasminogen catalytic domain drawn from PDB 1QRZ
plasminogen
Identifiers
Symbol(s) PLG
Entrez 5340
OMIM 173350
RefSeq NM_000301
UniProt P00747
Other data
Locus Chr. 6 q26
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Plasmin is an important enzyme (EC 3.4.21.7) present in blood that degrades many blood plasma proteins, most notably fibrin clots. The degradation of fibrin is termed fibrinolysis.

It is a serine protease that is released as plasminogen into the circulation and activated by tissue plasminogen activator (tPA), urokinase plasminogen activator (uPA), thrombin, fibrin and factor XII (Hageman factor). It is inactived by alpha 2-antiplasmin, a serine protease inhibitor (serpin).

Apart from fibrinolysis, plasmin proteolyses proteins in various other systems: it activates collagenases, some mediators of the complement system and weakens the wall of the Graafian follicle (leading to ovulation). It cleaves fibrin, fibronectin, thrombospondin, laminin and von Willebrand factor.

Deficiency in plasmin may lead to thrombosis, as clots are not degraded adequately.

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Coagulation
Coagulation factors: - Fibrin (I) - (Pro)thrombin (II) - FV - FVII - FVIII - FIX - FX - FXI - FXII - FXIII - HMWK - vWF - Tissue factor
Inhibitors: Antithrombin - Protein C - Protein S - Protein Z - ZPI - TFPI
Fibrinolysis: Plasmin - tPA/urokinase - PAI-1/2 - α2-AP - TAFI
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