Fenestrin-1
RGD-motif salivary peptide from the African medicinal leech Asiaticobdella fenestrata, proposed as a platelet aggregation inhibitor; its target is not yet confirmed.
Mechanistic Evidence Box
Preclinical / mechanistic- Page type
- Compound profile
- Evidence type
- Preclinical / biochemical characterization
- Evidence level
- In vitro
- Drug vs leech
- Recombinant (genetically expressed)
- Safety domains
- Bleeding
Clinical translation limit
Fenestrin-1's weak in vitro effect on platelet aggregation, with its target unconfirmed, does NOT establish clinical efficacy of any whole-leech therapy. No FDA-approved derivative exists; species-specific characterization in a non-Hirudo leech does not extend to medicinal leech therapy.
Molecular Profile
- Category
- Antiplatelet
- Evidence tier
- Preclinical
- Molecular weight
- 5,600 Da
- Source species
- Asiaticobdella fenestrata
- Discovered
- 2025 · Schulz L et al.
Biological Targets
- → unconfirmed; platelet integrin αIIbβ3 proposed from an N-terminal RGD motif, but aggregation was only weakly reduced and the authors say the target may be unrelated to platelets
Key Citations
- Schulz L et al. (2025), Parasitol Res · PMID 41198932
External Resources
Related Antiplatelet Compounds
Calin
Anti-platelet adhesion protein that blocks von Willebrand factor–collagen binding.
Saratin
Anti-platelet adhesion protein blocking collagen-mediated platelet activation.
Decorsin
RGD-containing peptide inhibiting platelet GP IIb/IIIa receptor — eptifibatide ancestor.
Ornatin
RGD-peptide GP IIb/IIIa antagonist — sister molecule to decorsin from a different leech species.