Tissue-type plasminogen activator (tPA) is a ‘JANUS' protease. tPA is a five domain serine protease including a Finger domain, an epidermal growth factor (EGF)-like domain, two kringle domains, and a catalytic domain. Pleiotropic functions of tPA as related to the specificity of each of these domains. LRP, lipoprotein receptor-related protein; PAI-1, plasminogen activator inhibitor type 1; NMDA receptor, N-methyl--aspartate receptor; PDGF-CC, platelet-derived growth factor-CC.