We characterized the interactions between plasminogen and neurons and investigated the
associated effects on extracellular matrix proteolysis, cell morphology, adhesion, signaling
and survival. Upon binding of plasminogen to neurons, the plasmin formed by constitutively
expressed tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) degrades extracellular matrix proteins, leading
to retraction of the neuron monolayer that detaches from the matrix. This sequence of events
required both interaction of plasminogen with carboxy-terminal lysine residues and the …