Make it double: identification and characterization of a Tandem-Hirudin from the Asian medicinal leech Hirudinaria manillensis
Research article published in Parasitology research (2022)
Abstract
Haematophagous leeches express a broad variety of secretory proteins in their salivary glands, among them are hirudins and hirudin-like factors. Here, we describe the identification, molecular and initial functional characterization of Tandem-Hirudin (TH), a novel salivary gland derived factor identified in the Asian medicinal leech, Hirudinaria manillensis. In contrast to the typical structure of hirudins, TH comprises two globular domains arranged in a tandem-like orientation and lacks the elongated C-terminal tail. Similar structures of thrombin inhibitors have so far been identified only in kissing bugs and ticks. Expression of TH was performed in both cell-based and cell-free bacterial systems. A subsequent functional characterization revealed no evidence for a thrombin-inhibitory potency of TH.
Abstract sourced from PubMed (NCBI) for the cited record. See the original publication for the authoritative version.
Summary
Haematophagous leeches express a broad variety of secretory proteins in their salivary glands, among them are hirudins and hirudin-like factors. Here, we describe the identification, molecular and initial functional characterization of Tandem-Hirudin (TH), a novel salivary gland derived factor identified in the Asian medicinal leech, Hirudinaria...
Why This Matters for Hirudotherapy
This study reports the identification and molecular characterization of Tandem-Hirudin (TH), a novel salivary gland factor from the Asian medicinal leech Hirudinaria manillensis, distinguished by two globular domains in a tandem-like orientation and the absence of the elongated C-terminal tail typical of conventional hirudins. This work contributes to mapping the structural diversity of hirudin-like proteins within the leech salivary secretome and reveals an architecture previously documented only in ticks and kissing bugs, enriching the comparative biology of hematophagous anticoagulants relevant to ASH's domain. However, functional assays detected no thrombin-inhibitory potency for TH, limiting its direct relevance to the anticoagulant mechanisms that underpin hirudotherapy. The biological role of TH remains undetermined, and the findings represent initial molecular and functional characterization rather than demonstration of therapeutic utility.
Citation
Make it double: identification and characterization of a Tandem-Hirudin from the Asian medicinal leech Hirudinaria manillensis.
Lukas P et al. · Parasitology research, 2022
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