A Chromogenic and Fluorogenic Peptide Substrate for the Highly Sensitive Detection of Proteases in Biological Matrices

The
synthesis and application of a novel type of chromogenic and fluorogenic
substrate for protease detection is described. The outstanding performance
of the tripeptide substrates is exemplified by specific fluorescence
detection of thrombin and factor Xa at only 500 fM concentration.
The substrate is also applicable to the sensitive detection of the
thrombin inhibitor dabigatran in human plasma and whole blood samples,
highlighting its potential for a point-of-care test for instant monitoring
the blood levels of this blockbuster anticoagulant drug in specific
clinical situations.