Molecular mechanisms of plasminogen activation: bacterial cofactors provide clues.

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Parry MA, Zhang XC, Bode I

Molecular mechanisms of plasminogen activation: bacterial cofactors provide clues.

Trends Biochem Sci. 2000 Feb;25(2):53-9.

PubMed ID

10664583 [ View in PubMed

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Abstract

Plasminogen activation is a key event in the fibrinolytic system that results in the dissolution of blood clots, and also promotes cell migration and tissue remodelling. The recent structure determinations of microplasmin in complex with the bacterial plasminogen activators staphylokinase and streptokinase have provided novel insights into the molecular mechanisms of plasminogen activation and cofactor function. These bacterial proteins are cofactor molecules that contribute to exosite formation and enhance the substrate presentation to the enzyme. At the same time, they modulate the specificity of plasmin towards substrates and inhibitors, making a 'specificity switch' possible.

DrugBank Data that Cites this Article

Drug Targets

Drug	Target	Kind	Organism	Pharmacological Action	Actions
Streptokinase	Plasminogen	Protein	Humans	Yes	Activator	Details