Leech Cystatin-Like Inhibitor
Cystatin-family cysteine protease inhibitor identified in leech salivary transcriptome — inhibits cathepsin-like host enzymes.
Praeklinisch / mechanistischLast updated: 2026-05-26 · Reviewed by ASH Editorial Board
Mechanistic Evidence Box
Preclinical / mechanistic- Page type
- Compound profile
- Evidence type
- Cystatin-family cysteine protease inhibitor identified in leech salivary transcriptome — inhibits cathepsin-like host enzymes.
- Evidence level
- In vitro
- Drug vs leech
- Purified natural compound
Clinical translation limit
Predicted cystatin activity does NOT establish clinical efficacy. No FDA-approved derivative exists.
Molecular Profile
- Category
- Proteinase Inhibitor
- Evidence tier
- Preclinical
- Molecular weight
- 13,000 Da
- Source species
- Hirudo medicinalis
- Discovered
- 2018
Biological Targets
- → cathepsin B
- → cathepsin L
- → papain-family cysteine proteases
External Resources
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LDTI (Leech-Derived Tryptase Inhibitor)
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