PHYSIOLOGICAL CONSEQUENCES OF LOSS OF PLASMINOGEN-ACTIVATOR GENE-FUNCTION IN MICE

Indirect evidence suggests a crucial role for the fibrinolytic system and its physiological triggers, tissue-type (t-PA) and urokinase-type (u-PA) plasminogen activator, in many proteolytic processes. Inactivat ion of the t-PA gene impairs clot lysis and inactivation of the u-PA g ene results in occasional fibrin deposition. Mice with combined t-PA a nd u-PA deficiency suffer extensive spontaneous fibrin deposition, wit h its associated effects on growth, fertility and survival.