plasminogen

American  

[plaz-min-uh-juhn, -jen] / plæzˈmɪn ə dʒən, -ˌdʒɛn /

noun

Biochemistry.

1. the blood substance that when activated forms plasmin.

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plasminogen British  

/ plæzˈmɪnədʒən /

noun

1. biochem a zymogen found in blood that gives rise to plasmin on activation

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Etymology

Origin of plasminogen

First recorded in 1940–45; plasmin + -o- + -gen

Example Sentences

The patient was still within the three-hour window from his first symptom, and the ER staff put him on the clot-busting treatment known as tissue plasminogen activator, or tPA.

From US News • Jul. 8, 2015

He had to decide whether or not to give her the tissue plasminogen activator or tPA shot, which would break up the clot from her ischemic stroke and restore blood flow to her brain.

From Washington Times • May 11, 2015

Clinically, reperfusion of thrombus-occluded arteries using tissue plasminogen activator can be achieved in 1 to 6 h but, even when arterial flow is restored, a long-lasting reduction of cerebral blood flow can ensue.

From Nature • Apr. 4, 2014

Tissue plasminogen activator is an enzyme that catalyzes the conversion of plasminogen to plasmin, the primary enzyme that breaks down clots.

From Textbooks • Jun. 19, 2013

So far, the results with TPA, or tissue plasminogen activator, have been nothing short of astonishing.

From Time Magazine Archive