plasmin

Term: plasmin

Literally meaning: “plasma protein”

Origin: Anc Greek

πλάσμα(noun)/plasma (=something formed or molded, an idol) > πλάσσω/plasso(=create, form, mold)

Coined/History

In 1933 Tillett and Garner discovered a fibrinolytic component contained within a broth culture of haemolytic Streptococci. In 1949 Tillett with Sol Sherry named this component streptokinase (SK) and administered this to patients for treatment of fibrinous adhesions.  By 1957 the active form of this enzyme was called plasmin and its inactive form plasminogen.

Sources

1.          Tillet WS, Garner RL. The fibrinolytic activity of hemolytic streptococci. J Exp Med 1933; 58:485-502.

2.         Tillett WS, Sherry S. The effect in patients of streptococcal fibrinolysin (streptokinase) and streptococcal deoxyribunuclease on fibrinous, purulent and sanguineous pleural exudations. J Clin Invest 1949; 28:173-90.

3.         3. Cliffton EE. The use of plasmin in humans. Ann NY Acad Sci 1957; 68: 209-29.

Definition

Plasmin is a proteolytic enzyme for blood plasma proteins especialy for fibrin clots, after its activation of its proenzyme form, the plasminogen. Human plasmin is encoded by PLG gene and gene mutations may cause thrombosis.