rtPA stands for which protein?

• A. Tissue Plasminogen Activator
• B. Recombinant Tissue Plasminogen Activator
• C. Streptokinase
• D. Plasminogen Activator

Answer: (B)

rtPA stands for recombinant tissue plasminogen activator. This is the drug form of the natural enzyme that converts plasminogen to plasmin, leading to clot breakdown. The term “recombinant” highlights that the protein is produced by recombinant DNA technology, which is why this designation is used clinically to distinguish the therapeutic product from the naturally occurring or non-recombinant enzyme. In practice, alteplase is the example of this recombinant tPA used as a thrombolytic. The other options refer to different concepts: the generic tissue plasminogen activator would describe the natural enzyme, streptokinase activates plasminogen via a different mechanism, and plasminogen activator is a broad term that could refer to any activator, not specifically the recombinant therapeutic form.