American Society of Hirudotherapy

Cell-free synthesis of the hirudin variant 1 of the blood-sucking leech Hirudo medicinalis

Research article published in Scientific reports (2020)

Last Updated: June 18, 2026Reviewed by: ASH Editorial Board
Research article — evidence reviewArticle reference
Evidence: Research reportDrug DevelopmentGenomics & ProteomicsClinical TrialsWüstenhagen D et al. · Scientific reports, 2020

Abstract

Synthesis and purification of peptide drugs for medical applications is a challenging task. The leech-derived factor hirudin is in clinical use as an alternative to heparin in anticoagulatory therapies. So far, recombinant hirudin is mainly produced in bacterial or yeast expression systems. We describe the successful development and application of an alternative protocol for the synthesis of active hirudin based on a cell-free protein synthesis approach. Three different cell lysates were compared, and the effects of two different signal peptide sequences on the synthesis of mature hirudin were determined. The combination of K562 cell lysates and the endogenous wild-type signal peptide sequence was most effective. Cell-free synthesized hirudin showed a considerably higher anti-thrombin activity compared to recombinant hirudin produced in bacterial cells.

Abstract sourced from PubMed (NCBI) for the cited record. See the original publication for the authoritative version.

Publication typeJournal ArticleResearch Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Indexed MeSH termsAnimalsAntithrombinsCell-Free SystemHirudinsHirudo medicinalisHumansK562 CellsRecombinant Proteins

Summary

Synthesis and purification of peptide drugs for medical applications is a challenging task. The leech-derived factor hirudin is in clinical use as an alternative to heparin in anticoagulatory therapies.

Why This Matters for Hirudotherapy

This study examined a cell-free protein synthesis approach for producing hirudin, a leech-derived factor already in clinical use as an alternative to heparin in anticoagulatory therapy. Researchers compared three cell lysates and two signal peptide sequences, finding that K562 lysates combined with the endogenous wild-type signal peptide yielded hirudin with considerably higher anti-thrombin activity than bacterially produced recombinant hirudin. This work is relevant to the ASH domain because it addresses production methodology for a therapeutically important leech-derived agent, potentially improving availability or activity of supply. However, the study does not involve live leeches, leech therapy, or the salivary secretome directly, and reports no clinical outcome data, so its connection to hirudotherapy practice is indirect and limited to pharmaceutical manufacturing considerations.

Citation

Cell-free synthesis of the hirudin variant 1 of the blood-sucking leech Hirudo medicinalis.

Wüstenhagen D et al. · Scientific reports, 2020

DOI

Added to ASH library: March 18, 2026 · Site last updated: June 18, 2026

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