American Society of Hirudotherapy

WP-PEP (LRELEDALEQER)

Thrombin exosite-II-binding 12-residue anticoagulant peptide screened from Whitmania pigra hydrolysates (Hua 2025) via computation-guided strategy.

Preclinical / mechanisticLast updated: 2026-05-27 · Reviewed by ASH Editorial Board
Molecular weight of WP-PEP (LRELEDALEQER) compared with other characterized leech-derived compoundsHementerin80 kDaHementin80 kDaHementin-Like Protein (HLP-1)80 kDaLeech Collagenase70 kDaHaemadipsa yanyuanensis Progr…70 kDaLeech Apyrase67 kDaCalin65 kDaHyaluronidase60 kDaAntithrombin III binding prot…58 kDaCollagenolytic Fibrinolysin55 kDaLeech Thrombospondin-Like Pro…50 kDaWP-PEP (LRELEDALEQER)1.5 kDa
Molecular weight (kilodaltons) of WP-PEP (LRELEDALEQER) (highlighted) alongside other characterized leech salivary compounds. Smaller proteins/peptides generally diffuse and act faster.

Mechanistic Evidence Box

Preclinical / mechanistic
Page type
Compound profile
Evidence type
Thrombin exosite-II-binding 12-residue anticoagulant peptide screened from Whitmania pigra hydrolysates (Hua 2025) via computation-guided strategy.
Evidence level
Preclinical (animal)
Drug vs leech
Synthetic analog
Safety domains
Bleeding

Clinical translation limit

WP-PEP's preclinical anticoagulant activity does NOT establish clinical efficacy. No FDA-approved derivative exists; Whitmania pigra is a non-hematophagous TCM leech, not the FDA-cleared K040187 medicinal leech.

Molecular Profile

Category
Anticoagulant
Evidence tier
Preclinical
Molecular weight
1,456 Da
Source species
Whitmania pigra
Discovered
2025 · Hua YT et al.
WP-PEP (LRELEDALEQER) molecular structure

Biological Targets

  • thrombin exosite II (Arg233, Arg101 binding residues)

Key Citations

  1. Hua YT et al. (2025), J Pept Sci · PMID 40922112

External Resources

    Related Anticoagulant Compounds

    This website provides educational information and does not constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment recommendations. Medicinal leech therapy carries clinically meaningful risks and should be performed only by qualified clinicians under institutionally approved protocols. FDA 510(k) clearance for medicinal leeches is limited to specific indications; investigational and off-label discussions are labeled accordingly. For patient-specific guidance, consult a qualified healthcare provider.