Macrobdella decora Decorsin (Archetypal RGD Antiplatelet)
First-described platelet-aggregation-inhibitor decorsin (Seymour 1990) from the North American leech Macrobdella decora — RGD-motif anchor for the leech antiplatelet superfamily.
Preclinical / mechanisticLast updated: 2026-05-28 · Reviewed by ASH Editorial Board
Mechanistic Evidence Box
Preclinical / mechanistic- Page type
- Compound profile
- Evidence type
- First-described platelet-aggregation-inhibitor decorsin (Seymour 1990) from the North American leech Macrobdella decora — RGD-motif anchor for the leech antiplatelet superfamily.
- Evidence level
- In vitro
- Drug vs leech
- Purified natural compound
- Safety domains
- Bleeding
Clinical translation limit
Decorsin's in vitro antiplatelet activity does NOT establish clinical efficacy. M. decora is not on the FDA K040187 cleared device species list; no decorsin-derived drug has been FDA-approved.
Molecular Profile
- Category
- Antiplatelet
- Evidence tier
- Preclinical
- Molecular weight
- 4,400 Da
- Source species
- Macrobdella decora
- Discovered
- 1990 · Seymour JL et al.
Biological Targets
- → platelet GPIIb/IIIa receptor (via internal RGD motif)
Key Citations
- Seymour JL et al. (1990), J Biol Chem · PMID 2351655
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.