plasmin
/ˈplazmɪn
/noun [mass noun] Biochemistry
An enzyme, formed in the blood in some circumstances, which destroys blood clots by attacking fibrin.Plasminogen activators attached to fibrin activate plasminogen, causing the release of the enzyme plasmin within clots and thrombi....
- Degradation of fibrin clots is the function of plasmin, a serine protease that circulates as the inactive proenzyme, plasminogen.
- Substitution of Glu 351 also altered the specificity toward non-cognate proteases: plasmin and thrombin.
Origin
Mid 19th century: from French plasmine, from late Latin plasma 'mould, image'.