Plasmin (Last Updated - 3/30/2005)
-a glycoprotein
-non-specific protease
-plasminogen bound to fibrin (Ia) gets activated to this to initiate fibrinolysis (clot lysis)
-Mechanism:
-dissolves clots via digestion of:
A) Fibrin (Ia) &
-Fibrin (Ia) has binding sites for either:
A) Plasminogen / Plasmin
B) Alpha-2-Anti-Plasmin
C) Thrombolytics (Ex.) t-PA)
-each of these compete for the Fibrin (Ia) binding site
A) If Plasminogen / Plasmin wins --> clot lysis
B) If Alpha-2-Anti-Plasmin wins --> clot lysis inhibited
C) If thrombolytics win --> clot lysis
B) some coag factors (esp. V & VIII)
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References:
Goodman & Gilman's: The Pharmacologic Basis Of Therapeutics - 10th Edition - 2001. Chapter 55.