Leech Serpin-Like Inhibitor
Serpin-family protease inhibitor identified in Hirudo medicinalis salivary transcriptome — large suicide-substrate inhibitor variant.
Praeklinisch / mechanistischLast updated: 2026-05-26 · Reviewed by ASH Editorial Board
Mechanistic Evidence Box
Preclinical / mechanistic- Page type
- Compound profile
- Evidence type
- Serpin-family protease inhibitor identified in Hirudo medicinalis salivary transcriptome — large suicide-substrate inhibitor variant.
- Evidence level
- In vitro
- Drug vs leech
- Purified natural compound
Clinical translation limit
Predicted serpin activity does NOT establish clinical efficacy. No FDA-approved derivative exists; the human serpin family contains separately characterized drug targets (antithrombin III, alpha-1-antitrypsin).
Molecular Profile
- Category
- Proteinase Inhibitor
- Evidence tier
- Preclinical
- Molecular weight
- 45,000 Da
- Source species
- Hirudo medicinalis
- Discovered
- 2018
Biological Targets
- → serine proteases (suicide-substrate mechanism)
External Resources
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LDTI (Leech-Derived Tryptase Inhibitor)
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