Which enzyme acts on fibrin clots and fibrinogen to produce fibrin degradation products like D-Dimer?

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Multiple Choice

Which enzyme acts on fibrin clots and fibrinogen to produce fibrin degradation products like D-Dimer?

Fibrinolysis—the enzymatic breakdown of a formed clot—relies on plasmin to do the actual cutting of fibrin strands. Plasmin is a serine protease that is generated from its zymogen, plasminogen, by activators such as tissue plasminogen activator. Once active, plasmin cleaves the fibrin network that makes up the clot, producing fibrin degradation products, including D-dimer, especially when the fibrin has been cross-linked. While plasmin can also affect fibrinogen, its crucial role in generating D-dimer is through degradation of cross-linked fibrin. Thrombin drives clot formation by converting fibrinogen to fibrin; tissue plasminogen activator merely initiates plasmin formation; fibrinogen is the substrate, not the degrading enzyme.

Fibrinolysis—the enzymatic breakdown of a formed clot—relies on plasmin to do the actual cutting of fibrin strands. Plasmin is a serine protease that is generated from its zymogen, plasminogen, by activators such as tissue plasminogen activator. Once active, plasmin cleaves the fibrin network that makes up the clot, producing fibrin degradation products, including D-dimer, especially when the fibrin has been cross-linked. While plasmin can also affect fibrinogen, its crucial role in generating D-dimer is through degradation of cross-linked fibrin. Thrombin drives clot formation by converting fibrinogen to fibrin; tissue plasminogen activator merely initiates plasmin formation; fibrinogen is the substrate, not the degrading enzyme.

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