Prothrombin is a single-chain vitamin K dependent 579 amino acid glycoprotein zymogen. Prothrombin levels are decreased by anticoagulant therapy, vitamin K deficiency and severe liver disease. Elevated plasma prothrombin is associated with a single nucleotide change at position 20210. The sensitive quantitative measurement of mouse prothrombin in plasma samples is easily performed with this 96 well strip format ELISA kit. Thrombin and thrombin-antithrombin complex will not be detected by the assay. Prothrombin in normal human plasma ranges from 110-212 ug/ml with an average concentration of 150 ug/ml. Normal values of prothrombin in mouse plasma have not been conclusively determined but are believed to be similar to human plasma. The assay measures mouse prothrombin in the 1-500 ng/ml range. Samples giving mouse prothrombin levels above 500 ng/ml should be diluted in blocking buffer before use. A 1:10,000 dilution for plasma is suggested for best results. Mouse prothrombin will bind to the capture antibody coated on the microtiter plate. After appropriate washing steps, biotin labeled anti-mouse prothrombin primary antibody binds to the captured protein. Excess primary antibody is washed away and bound antibody is reacted with streptavidin conjugated to HRP. Following an additional washing step, TMB substrate is used for color development at 450nm. Color development is proportional to the concentration of prothrombin in the samples. A standard calibration curve is prepared using dilutions of purified prothrombin and is measured along with the test samples. All reagents and standards are provided in these ELISA kits.

This assay uses a unique antibody to only detect prothrombin. A total antigen kit that will detect prothrombin, thrombin and TAT complex is available under catalog number MPTKT-TOT.