De novo biosynthesis of plasminogen in the anephric rat.

Two major forms of plasminogen exist in the plasma of many different species. Each form is present in normal amounts in anephric patients and each form is synthesized de novo in bilaterally nephrectomized rats. Although the rate of synthesis of each form of plasminogen is lower than normal immediately after nephrectomy, the rate of plasma protein synthesis is also apparently lower than normal in these cases. This is thought to reflect the fact that the nephrectomized rat is in a state of circulatory distress immediately after kidney ligation. It is concluded that the kidney is not responsible for de novo biosynthesis of plasminogen. This point has been the subject of some confusion.