Thrombin

Thrombin is a serine protease enzyme that plays a crucial role in the coagulation cascade, converting fibrinogen to fibrin and activating platelets, thereby facilitating blood clot formation. Its clinical significance lies in its involvement in both normal hemostasis and pathological conditions such as thrombosis, where excessive thrombin can lead to inappropriate clotting. A key association is its role in conditions like deep vein thrombosis, where thrombin levels may be elevated.