Alteplase

**Semantic type:** Amino Acid, Peptide, or Protein|Pharmacologic Substance

**Definition:** A recombinant therapeutic agent which is chemically identical to or similar to endogenous tissue plasminogen activator (tPA). tPA is a serine protease which converts plasminogen to plasmin, a fibrinolytic enzyme. Upon administration, alteplase increases plasmin enzymatic activity, resulting in hyperfibrinolysis and potential dissolution of a thrombus or embolism.

**Synonyms:** - ALTEPLASE - Activase - Activase - Plasminogen Activator (Human Tissue-Type Protein Moiety) - Recombinant Tissue Plasminogen Activator - r-tPA - recombinant tissue plasminogen activator - rt-PA