What does plasmin mean?
Plasmin is an enzyme involved in dissolving blood clots. Blood clots contain a strong mesh of fibrin, and plasmin helps break that mesh apart through the process known as fibrinolysis. The enzyme exists in blood mainly as plasminogen, an inactive precursor, until it is activated by substances such as tissue plasminogen activator. In medicine, plasmin activity can be increased by certain clot-dissolving medicines. The word is mainly used in technical contexts such as hematology, biochemistry, and pharmacology. Although it is sometimes associated with the older name fibrinolysin, plasmin is the more specific modern term for the active enzyme. Its role makes it important in understanding both normal clot clearance and the treatment of conditions involving excessive or persistent blood clotting.
nounAn enzyme that breaks down fibrin, the fibrous protein that forms blood clots, thereby dissolving clots and promoting fibrinolysis. It is formed from the inactive precursor plasminogen in the blood.
- The proteolytic enzyme that dissolves fibrin blood clots and is involved in fibrinolysis.
"The drug helped activate plasmin and allowed the blood clot to dissolve."
"Plasmin broke down the fibrin strands that held the clot together."
"Researchers measured plasmin activity in the patient's blood."
The plural is grammatically regular but rarely used because the word normally appears in technical descriptions in the singular or as part of a compound.
"The study compared plasmins isolated from different sources."
Plasmin is the enzyme that helps the body clear a blood clot once it has served its purpose.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does plasmin come from?
The English word plasmin was formed in the 19th century from the scientific term plasma and the chemical suffix -in, reflecting its role in breaking down proteins in the fluid portion of blood. Plasma itself comes through Latin from Greek plasma, meaning something molded or formed. The related term plasminogen names the inactive precursor from which plasmin is formed.
Related word forms
How plasmin is actually used
This is primarily a technical term in medicine, biochemistry, and pharmacology. It is not normally used in general conversation.
Easily confused with plasmin
Plasminogen is the inactive circulating precursor that is converted into the active enzyme plasmin.