Thrombin (human)

Thrombin is the last enzyme in the clotting cascade functioning to cleave fibrinogen to fibrin and potentiates the procoagulation process by activating factors V, VIII, XI, and XIII.¹ Conversely, thrombin aids the anticoagulant process by activating protein C.² Activated protein C inhibits activated factors V and VIII ultimately down-regulating further thrombin production. Thrombin is often used as a potent platelet activator in vitro. Platelet responses to thrombin are mediated through protease-activated receptors (PARs). ³ Thrombin-mediated signaling regulates a diverse range of metabolic processes including activation of phospholipases in platelets, endothelial cells, and cardiac myocytes.⁴

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1. Coughlin, S.R. Thrombin signalling and protease-activated receptors. Nature 407, 258-264 (2000).

2. Gibbs, C.S., Coutré, S.E., Tsiang, M., et al. Conversion of thrombin into an anticoagulant by protein engineering. Nature 378, 413-416 (1995).

3. Davì, G., and Patrono, C. Platelet activation and atherothrombosis. N. Engl. J. Med. 357(24), 2482-2494 (2007).

4. McHowat, J., and Creer, M.H. Thrombin activates a membrane-associated calcium-independent PLA₂ in ventricular myocytes. Am. J. Physiol. 274, C447-C454 (1998).