Thrombin Substrate

A thrombin substrate is a molecule—typically a synthetic peptide or protein derivative—designed to be specifically cleaved by the enzyme thrombin. These substrates are widely used in research and diagnostic assays to measure thrombin activity, study coagulation processes, and screen for anticoagulant drugs. Upon cleavage, chromogenic substrates release p-nitroaniline (pNA), producing a yellow color measurable at 405 nm; fluorogenic substrates separate fluorophore from quencher, resulting in increased fluorescence signal; and FRET-based substrates generate changes in energy transfer detectable as shifts in emission spectra.

Cleavage by thrombin releases detectable signal (chromogenic, fluorogenic, or FRET)