ABSTRACT
Thrombin, a serine protease, is an enzyme that results from the cleavage of activated factor X on its precursor (prothrombin, derived by the liver). Thrombin is a key mediator of the coagulation cascade: once both the extrinsic and intrinsic pathways of coagulation have activated enough Factor X, prothrombin is converted to thrombin, the fi nal activator of fi brinogen to fi brin. Moreover, thrombin is a very important mediator of platelet aggregation via the PAR-1 receptors on platelet surface. By activating factor XIII, it leads to the formation of cross-linked bonds among fi brin molecules, improving clot stabilization (Topol 2001, Coughlin 2000).
