Definition of Thrombin
1. Noun. An enzyme that acts on fibrinogen in blood causing it to clot.
Definition of Thrombin
1. n. The fibrin ferment which produces the formation of fibrin from fibrinogen.
Definition of Thrombin
1. Noun. (enzyme) An enzyme in blood that facilitates blood clotting by converting fibrinogen to fibrin (by means of ionized calcium). ¹
¹ Source: wiktionary.com
Definition of Thrombin
1. an enzyme [n -S] - See also: enzyme
Medical Definition of Thrombin
1.
Protease (34 kD) generated in blood clotting that acts on fibrinogen to produce fibrin. Consists of two chains, A and B, linked by a disulphide bond. B chain has sequence homology with pancreatic serine proteases: cleaves at Arg Gly.
Thrombin is produced from prothrombin by the action either of the extrinsic system (tissue factor + phospholipid) or, more importantly, the intrinsic system (contact of blood with a foreign surface or connective tissue). Both extrinsic and intrinsic systems activate plasma factor X to form factor Xa which then, in conjunction with phospholipid (tissue derived or platelet factor 3) and factor V, catalyses the conversion.
This entry appears with permission from the Dictionary of Cell and Molecular Biology
(11 Mar 2008)
Lexicographical Neighbors of Thrombin
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