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Updated: Sep 26, 2026

Characterizing Modulators of Protease-Activated Receptors with a Calcium Mobilization Assay Using a Plate Reader
Published on: May 24, 2024
Protease activated receptors 1 and 4 govern the responses of human platelets to thrombin
1Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, McMaster University, 1200 Main Street West, 3N26, Hamilton, Ont., Canada L8N 3Z5. ofosuf@mcmaster.ca
Studies carried out in the past 12 years have established that activation of protease-activated receptor (PAR)-1 and PAR-4 by thrombin essentially drives human platelet activation. Thrombin is the most potent physiologic agonist of platelets. PAR-1 and PAR-4 are found on human platelets and are half of the family of the four known 7-transmembrane receptors that are activated by a single proteolytic cleavage within the amino terminal extracellular domain of these receptors. This review will consider the direct and indirect evidence that apparently support the idea that PAR-1 and PAR-4 activation by thrombin drives platelet activation
Studies carried out in the past 12 years have established that activation of protease-activated receptor (PAR)-1 and PAR-4 by thrombin essentially drives human platelet activation. Thrombin is the most potent physiologic agonist of platelets. PAR-1 and PAR-4 are found on human platelets and are half of the family of the four known 7-transmembrane receptors that are activated by a single proteolytic cleavage within the amino terminal extracellular domain of these receptors. This review will consider the direct and indirect evidence that apparently support the idea that PAR-1 and PAR-4 activation by thrombin drives platelet activation
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