Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 7, 2026

Author Spotlight: Developing Parmodulins to Target Protease-Activated Receptors for Inflammation Control
Published on: May 24, 2024
Pathogen activators of plasminogen
I M Verhamme1, P R Panizzi2, P E Bock1
1Department of Pathology, Microbiology, and Immunology, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN, USA.
Abstract:
Group A streptococci (GAS) express soluble and surface-bound virulence factors. Secreted streptokinase (SK) allelic variants exhibit varying abilities to activate host plasminogen (Pg), and GAS pathogenicity is associated with Pg activation and localization of the resulting plasmin (Pm) on the bacterial surface to promote dissemination. The various mechanisms by which GAS usurp the host proteolytic system are discussed, including the molecular sexuality mechanism of conformational activation of the Pg zymogen (Pg*) and subsequent proteolytic activation of substrate Pg by the S•KPg* and SK•Pm catalytic complexes. Substantial progress has been made to delineate both processes in a unified mechanism. Pm coats the bacteria by direct and indirect binding pathways involving plasminogen-binding group A streptococcal M-like (PAM) protein and host fibrin(ogen). Transgenic mouse models using human Pg are being optimized to mimic infections by SK variants in humans and to define in vivo combined mechanisms of these variants and PAM.
More Related Videos
10:59Conditional Knockdown of Gene Expression in Cancer Cell Lines to Study the Recruitment of Monocytes/Macrophages to the Tumor Microenvironment
Published on: November 23, 2017
06:59The Nijmegen Hemostasis Assay: Simultaneous Fluorogenic Measurement of Thrombin and Plasmin Generation in a Single Well
Published on: February 27, 2026
Related Concept Videos
Clot Retraction and Fibrinolysis
Extrinsic and Intrinsic Pathways of Hemostasis
The Extrinsic Pathway
The extrinsic pathway of coagulation is typically initiated by tissue damage that exposes blood to tissue factor (TF), a protein released by the damaged tissue cells outside the blood vessels—this interaction with TF triggers biochemical reactions involving specific clotting factors. The key player here is Factor VII, which...
Formation of the Platelet Plug
As the injured blood vessel contracts, endothelial cells undergo contraction, revealing collagen fibers in the basement membrane and underlying connective tissue. Furthermore, the plasma membrane of endothelial cells becomes adhesive, preparing the site for platelet adhesion. Platelets...
Anticoagulant Drugs: Low-Molecular-Weight Heparins
Complement System
Cytoskeletal Linker Proteins - Plakins