CRYSTAL STRUCTURE OF HUMAN PLASMINOGEN CATALYTIC DOMAIN
[PLMN_HUMAN] Defects in PLG are the cause of plasminogen deficiency (PLGD) [MIM:217090]. PLGD is characterized by decreased serum plasminogen activity. Two forms of the disorder are distinguished: type 1 deficiency is additionally characterized by decreased plasminogen antigen levels and clinical symptoms, whereas type 2 deficiency, also known as dysplasminogenemia, is characterized by normal, or slightly reduced antigen levels, and absence of clinical manifestations. Plasminogen deficiency type 1 results in markedly impaired extracellular fibrinolysis and chronic mucosal pseudomembranous lesions due to subepithelial fibrin deposition and inflammation. The most common clinical manifestation of type 1 deficiency is ligneous conjunctivitis in which pseudomembranes formation on the palpebral surfaces of the eye progresses to white, yellow-white, or red thick masses with a wood-like consistency that replace the normal mucosa.       
[PLMN_HUMAN] Plasmin dissolves the fibrin of blood clots and acts as a proteolytic factor in a variety of other processes including embryonic development, tissue remodeling, tumor invasion, and inflammation. In ovulation, weakens the walls of the Graafian follicle. It activates the urokinase-type plasminogen activator, collagenases and several complement zymogens, such as C1 and C5. Cleavage of fibronectin and laminin leads to cell detachment and apoptosis. Also cleaves fibrin, thrombospondin and von Willebrand factor. Its role in tissue remodeling and tumor invasion may be modulated by CSPG4. Binds to cells. Angiostatin is an angiogenesis inhibitor that blocks neovascularization and growth of experimental primary and metastatic tumors in vivo.
Publication Abstract from PubMed
Activation of the serine protease plasmin from its zymogen, plasminogen, is the key step in fibrinolysis leading to blood clot dissolution. It also plays critical roles in cell migration, such as in tumor metastasis. Here, we report the crystal structure of an inactive S741A mutant of human plasminogen catalytic domain at 2.0 A resolution. This structure permits a direct comparison with that of the plasmin catalytic unit. Unique conformational differences are present between these two structures that are not seen in other zymogen-enzyme pairs of the trypsin family. The functional significance of these differences and the structural basis of plasminogen activation is discussed in the light of this new structure.
Human plasminogen catalytic domain undergoes an unusual conformational change upon activation.,Wang X, Terzyan S, Tang J, Loy JA, Lin X, Zhang XC J Mol Biol. 2000 Jan 28;295(4):903-14. PMID:10656799
From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine.