The serpin ␣ 2 -antiplasmin ( ␣ 2 -AP) is the major circulating inhibitor of plasmin; it plays a determining role in the regulation of intravascular fibrinolysis. In addition to blood plasma, plasmin formation occurs in various organs where it is thought to fulfill a spectrum of functions not restricted to clot lysis. ␣ 2 -AP is synthesized by hepatocytes, but other possible sites of production have not been investigated. To explore the potential extravascular contribution of ␣ 2 -AP in the regulation of proteolysis, we have isolated the murine ␣ 2 -AP cDNA and determined its mRNA distribution in adult tissues.In
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