Is there any specific buffer for thrombin activity? I am currently using Tris-cl, pH 8.0 as cleavage buffer, but wish to use Na-phosphate buffer. Does this hamper the activity of thrombin?
Thrombin is quite sturdy. Since its natural environment is blood plasma with pH 7,35 and phosphate in abundance, I suspect it should definitely work fine under your desired conditions.
You can use Phosphate buffer between pH7-8 without much change in activity. Thrombin does require sodium to be catalytically more active- therefore make sure you have enough (>100mM) Na+ in solution.