Plasmin-α2-antiplasmin complex (PAP) is a 1:1 irreversibly formed inactive complex of the

enzyme An enzyme () is a protein that acts as a biological catalyst by accelerating chemical reactions. The molecules upon which enzymes may act are called substrate (chemistry), substrates, and the enzyme converts the substrates into different mol ...

plasmin Plasmin is an important enzyme () present in blood that degrades many blood plasma proteins, including fibrin thrombus, clots. The degradation of fibrin is termed fibrinolysis. In humans, the plasmin protein (in the zymogen form of plasminogen) i ...

and its inhibitor α₂-antiplasmin. It is a marker of the activity of the

fibrinolytic Fibrinolysis is a process that prevents thrombus, blood clots from growing and becoming problematic. Primary fibrinolysis is a normal body process, while secondary fibrinolysis is the thrombolysis, breakdown of clots due to a medicine, a medical di ...

system and a marker of net activation of

fibrinolysis Fibrinolysis is a process that prevents blood clots from growing and becoming problematic. Primary fibrinolysis is a normal body process, while secondary fibrinolysis is the breakdown of clots due to a medicine, a medical disorder, or some other c ...

. PAP levels are increased with

pregnancy Pregnancy is the time during which one or more offspring gestation, gestates inside a woman's uterus. A multiple birth, multiple pregnancy involves more than one offspring, such as with twins. Conception (biology), Conception usually occurs ...

and by

ethinylestradiol Ethinylestradiol (EE) is an estrogen medication which is used widely in birth control pills in combination with progestins. Ethinylestradiol was widely used for various indications such as the treatment of menopausal symptoms, gynecological ...

-containing combined birth control pills. Conversely, levels of PAP do not appear to be affected with

menopausal hormone therapy Hormone replacement therapy (HRT), also known as menopausal hormone therapy or postmenopausal hormone therapy, is a form of hormone therapy used to treat symptoms associated with female menopause. Effects of menopause can include symptoms such ...

. PAP levels have been reported to be elevated in men with

prostate cancer Prostate cancer is the neoplasm, uncontrolled growth of cells in the prostate, a gland in the male reproductive system below the bladder. Abnormal growth of the prostate tissue is usually detected through Screening (medicine), screening tests, ...

References

{{Hematology-stub Coagulation system Protein complexes