Capturing host plasmin(ogen): a common mechanism for invasive pathogens?
Plasmin is a potent enzyme that can dissolve blood clots and degrade extracellular matrix proteins. A number of pathogenic bacteria produce plasminogen activators. Many of these organisms can also bind plasmin(ogen) to surface receptors and protect the active enzyme from physiological inhibition. Cell-surface localization of plasmin may be a common mechanism used by bacteria to facilitate movement through normal tissue barriers.
Lottenberg
R
R
Dept of Medicine, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville 32610-0277.
Minning-Wenz
D
D
Boyle
M D
MD
D001419:Bacteria / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000472:pathogenicity; D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000209:etiology / Q000378:metabolism; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000378:metabolism; D005341:Fibrinolysin / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D008954:Models, Biological; D010958:Plasminogen / Q000378:metabolism*
D010958:Plasminogen; D005341:Fibrinolysin