H. verbana ERGA Chromosome-Level Anticoagulant Repertoire
First chromosome-level Hirudo verbana genome (14 pseudomolecules, 0.18 Gb, ERGA-BGE 2026) framing the southern medicinal leech as a primary genomic reference.
Mechanistic Evidence Box
Preclinical / mechanistic- Page type
- Compound profile
- Evidence type
- First chromosome-level Hirudo verbana genome (14 pseudomolecules, 0.18 Gb, ERGA-BGE 2026) framing the southern medicinal leech as a primary genomic reference.
- Evidence level
- Mechanistic discussion
- Drug vs leech
- Purified natural compound
Clinical translation limit
Genome assembly is a foundational resource; individual H. verbana anticoagulant gene products require independent functional characterization. No FDA-approved derivative; the FDA K040187 clearance covers Hirudo medicinalis device-grade animals (H. verbana is not on that cleared species list).
Molecular Profile
- Category
- Anticoagulant
- Evidence tier
- Preclinical
- Source species
- Hirudo verbana
- Discovered
- 2026 · Manzano-Marín A et al. (ERGA-BGE)
Biological Targets
- → coagulation cascade (predicted, by H. medicinalis homology across hirudin / antistasin / decorsin families)
Key Citations
- Manzano-Marín A et al. (2026), Open Res Eur · PMID 41573256
External Resources
Related Anticoagulant Compounds
Hirudin
The most potent natural thrombin inhibitor — and the molecular template for three FDA-approved direct thrombin inhibitor drugs.
Antistasin
Factor Xa inhibitor — prototype molecule that inspired the entire DOAC drug class (rivaroxaban, apixaban).
Ghilanten
Factor Xa inhibitor with anti-metastatic activity in animal cancer models — translational dual-use compound.
Lefaxin
Factor Xa inhibitor with anti-inflammatory properties.