American Society of Hirudotherapy

High-yield novel leech hyaluronidase to expedite the preparation of specific hyaluronan oligomers

Research article published in Scientific reports (2014)

Last Updated: June 18, 2026Reviewed by: ASH Editorial Board
Research article — evidence reviewArticle reference
Evidence: Preclinical (animal)Genomics & ProteomicsSalivary PharmacologyJin P et al. · Scientific reports, 2014

Abstract

Hyaluronidases (HAases), particularly leech HAases, have attracted intense attention due to their broad applications in medical treatments and great potential for the enzymatic production of hyaluronan oligosaccharides. However, little is known about this third interesting family of HAases. Here, we applied the random amplification of cDNA ends polymerase chain reaction (RACE-PCR) approach to identify the first leech HAase-encoding gene. By combining protein engineering and high-density culture, we achieved high-level production (8.42 × 10(5) U ml(-1)) in the yeast Pichia pastoris secretory expression system. Compared with the commercial bovine testicular HAase, the recombinant leech HAase exhibited superior enzymatic properties. Furthermore, analysis of the hydrolytic process suggested that this novel enzyme adopts a nonprocessive endolytic mode, yielding a narrow-spectrum of specific HA oligosaccharides with different incubation times. Large-scale production of this novel leech HAase will not only greatly promote medical applications but also facilitate the enzymatic production of specific HA oligosaccharides.

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 termsAnimalsCattleDNA, ComplementaryHyaluronic AcidHyaluronoglucosaminidaseHydrolysisLeechesMolecular Sequence DataOligosaccharidesPichia

Summary

Hyaluronidases (HAases), particularly leech HAases, have attracted intense attention due to their broad applications in medical treatments and great potential for the enzymatic production of hyaluronan oligosaccharides.

Why This Matters for Hirudotherapy

This study identified the first leech hyaluronidase-encoding gene using RACE-PCR and achieved high-level recombinant production (8.42 × 10⁵ U/ml) in the yeast Pichia pastoris. The recombinant leech hyaluronidase exhibited superior enzymatic properties compared with commercial bovine testicular hyaluronidase and operated via a nonprocessive endolytic mode, yielding specific hyaluronan oligosaccharides with different incubation times. For ASH's domain, this work is relevant as it characterizes a leech-derived enzyme with noted broad medical applications, contributing to understanding of the leech secretome's enzymatic components. Caveat: this is a biotechnology study focused on enzyme production and characterization; it does not involve hirudotherapy, clinical application, or therapeutic outcomes in patients.

Citation

High-yield novel leech hyaluronidase to expedite the preparation of specific hyaluronan oligomers.

Jin P et al. · Scientific reports, 2014

DOI

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