Thrombin activates proteinase activated receptors (PARs) that signal through heterotrimeric G proteins of the G12/13 and Gq families. In human platelets, PAR1 (F2R) is the predominant thrombin receptor (Vu et al. 1991). Gq is necessary for platelet secretion and aggregation in response to thrombin but is not necessary for thrombin-triggered shape change. G13 appears to contribute to platelet aggregation as well as shape change in response to low concentrations of thrombin but to be unnecessary at higher agonist concentrations; G12 appears to be dispensable for thrombin signaling in platelets.

The proprotein form of F2R is activated when thrombin cleaves the N-terminal exodomain. This cleavage event unmasks a new N-terminus that serves as a tethered ligand that binds intramolecularly to the body of the receptor to effect transmembrane signaling (Vu et al. 1991). Intermolecular ligation of one PAR molecule by another can occur but, not surprisingly, appears to be less efficient than self-ligation. A synthetic peptide of sequence SFLLRN, the first six amino acids of the new N-terminus generated when thrombin cleaves PAR1, can activate PAR1 independent of protease and receptor cleavage. In addition to providing evidence for the tethered ligand mechanism, such tethered ligand-mimicking peptides have provided a convenient pharmacological tool for probing the effects of PAR activation in cells and tissues.