Comparative genomics of two Asian medicinal leeches Hirudo nipponia and Hirudo tianjinensis
Basic science / genomics published in Int J Biol Macromol (2024)
Abstract
Leeches secrete various biologically active substances which have important medical and pharmaceutical values in antithrombotic treatments. Here, we provide a high quality genome of two Asian medicinal leeches Hirudo nipponia and Hirudo tianjinensis, based on which, we identified 22 antithrombotic gene families, including fourteen coagulation inhibitors, four platelet aggregation inhibitors, three fibrinolysis enhancers, and one tissue penetration enhancer. The total numbers of antithrombotic genes were similar between H. nipponia (N = 86) and H. tianjinensis (N = 83). Molecular evolution analysis showed that no significant differences were detected between the two species in any of the three selection indices (dN, dS, and dN/dS), nor in the number of sites under positive/purifying selection. RNA-Seq based gene expression analysis showed that the overall expression patterns of the antithrombotic gene families were not significantly deviated between the two species. Our results indicated that there were rather close similarities between the two leeches on genomic characteristics, especially for the molecular evolution and expression of antithrombotic genes. Our study provides the most comprehensive collection of antithrombotic biomacromolecules from the two Asian medicinal leeches to date. These results will greatly facilitate the research and application of leech derivatives for medical and pharmaceutical purposes of thrombosis.
Abstract sourced from PubMed (NCBI) for the cited record. See the original publication for the authoritative version.
Summary
Comparative genomic analysis of Hirudo nipponia and Hirudo tianjinensis Asian medicinal leeches characterizing bioactive-compound diversity.
Why This Matters for Hirudotherapy
This comparative genomics study provides a high-quality genome map of two Asian medicinal leeches, Hirudo nipponia and Hirudo tianjinensis, to identify antithrombotic biomacromolecules. The researchers identified 22 antithrombotic gene families—including coagulation inhibitors, platelet aggregation inhibitors, and fibrinolysis enhancers—with similar gene counts and expression patterns across both species. This research is fundamentally important to ASH's domain because it comprehensively maps the genetic basis of the leech secretome, identifying the specific compounds responsible for the antithrombotic properties used in modern hirudotherapy. As a genomic and transcriptomic analysis, the study represents basic, preclinical science rather than a clinical trial, providing the foundational biological data necessary for future therapeutic applications.
Citation
Comparative genomics of two Asian medicinal leeches Hirudo nipponia and Hirudo tianjinensis.
Zhao et al. · International journal of biological macromolecules, 2024
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