American Society of Hirudotherapy

Enhanced production of anticoagulant hirudin in recombinant Saccharomyces cerevisiae by chromosomal delta-integration

Comparative study published in J Biotechnol (2001)

Last Updated: June 18, 2026Reviewed by: ASH Editorial Board
Research article — evidence reviewArticle reference
Evidence: Observational studySalivary PharmacologyDrug DevelopmentKim MD et al. · J Biotechnol, 2001

Abstract

Recombinant Saccharomyces cerevisiae strains were developed to overproduce an anticoagulant hirudin. The delta-sequences of the yeast retrotransposon Ty1 and URA3 were used as target sites for a hirudin expression cassette. High copy-number transformants were successfully selected using a dominant selection antibiotic, G418. The copy numbers of the hirudin expression cassette integrated into delta-sequences of the yeast chromosome ranged from five to ten copies per cell. Production of hirudin in the delta-integrated recombinant S. cerevisiae system increased over two-fold compared with the YEp-based episomal hirudin expression system. A linear relationship between the copy number of the hirudin expression cassette and hirudin expression level was observed up to 10 copies. The hirudin expression cassettes integrated into the yeast chromosome were stably maintained in non-selective culture conditions.

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

Publication typeComparative StudyJournal ArticleResearch Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Indexed MeSH termsAntithrombinsChromosomes, FungalEscherichia coliGene DosageGenetic VectorsHirudinsMutagenesis, InsertionalRecombinant ProteinsRetroelementsSaccharomyces cerevisiaeTransformation, Genetic

Summary

Recombinant Saccharomyces cerevisiae strains with up to 10 copies of hirudin expression cassette integrated into delta-sequences; expression increased over two-fold compared to YEp-based episomal system.

Why This Matters for Hirudotherapy

This study developed recombinant Saccharomyces cerevisiae strains to overproduce anticoagulant hirudin by integrating a hirudin expression cassette into chromosomal delta-sequences of the yeast retrotransposon Ty1. Copy numbers of five to ten per cell were achieved, yielding over two-fold increased hirudin production compared with an episomal expression system, with stable maintenance under non-selective conditions. The abstract describes hirudin only as an anticoagulant and makes no mention of leeches, the leech secretome, or hirudotherapy. There is no defensible connection to ASH's domain based on this abstract. This is a yeast bioproduction study with no clinical or in-vivo data.

Citation

Enhanced production of anticoagulant hirudin in recombinant Saccharomyces cerevisiae by chromosomal delta-integration.

Kim MD et al. · J Biotechnol, 2001

DOI

Added to ASH library: May 27, 2026 · Site last updated: June 18, 2026

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