Molecular cloning and functional analysis of a destabilase from Hirudinaria manillensis
Basic science / preclinical published in Protein Expr Purif (2025)
Abstract
Destabilases are i-type lysozymes with isopeptidase activity and antibacterial and thrombolytic functions. In recent years, destabliases have been identified in an increasing number of invertebrates. Hirudinaria manillensis belonging to the Annelida, as one of the origins of leeches used in traditional Chinese medicine, which has high medicinal value, there have been few reports on the H. manillensis destabliase. In this study, the cDNA sequence of Hmdestabilase was cloned from the salivary glands of H. manillensis. The 3D Structural analysis indicated that Hmdestabilase is similar to other i-type lysozymes in that it adopts an ellipsoidal shape and has a large cleft containing the lysozyme active site. The docking results of Hmdestabilase protein with N-acetylglucosamine trimer molecule have shown that the location and number of hydrogen bonds are one of the key factors for the interaction between the protein and its substrate. The Hmdestabilase fusion protein obtained through the prokaryotic expression system has lysozyme and isopeptidase activities. In addition, Changes in sodium ion concentration in the environment affect the lysozyme activity of Hmdestabilase fusion protein. The above bioinformatic analysis and enzymatic function studies have shown that Hmdestabilase belongs to the i-type lysozyme family. qPCR analysis revealed that blood feeding significantly increased the mRNA expression of Hmdestabilase in the salivary glands of H. manillensis,and successfully priming the innate immune system against harmful microorganisms ingested with food. This study is helpful to elucidate the innate immune response of H. manillensis and promote the artificial breeding of H. manillensis.
Abstract sourced from PubMed (NCBI) for the cited record. See the original publication for the authoritative version.
Summary
Cloning and characterization of Hmdestabilase from Hirudinaria manillensis salivary glands. Recombinant protein shows lysozyme and isopeptidase activities; expression upregulated after blood feeding. Demonstrates innate-immunity priming role.
Why This Matters for Hirudotherapy
This study cloned and characterised Hmdestabilase from the salivary glands of Hirudinaria manillensis, a medicinal leech used in traditional Chinese medicine. The recombinant fusion protein exhibited lysozyme and isopeptidase activities, and blood feeding upregulated mRNA expression in salivary glands, consistent with roles in innate immunity and thrombolysis. For ASH, this is relevant because destabilases represent a leech-secretome enzyme class with potential thrombolytic and antimicrobial properties of interest to hirudotherapy. The work is limited to molecular cloning, bioinformatics, and in vitro enzymatic assays; no in vivo thrombolytic or therapeutic data are presented, and findings do not demonstrate clinical efficacy.
Citation
Molecular cloning and functional analysis of a destabilase from Hirudinaria manillensis.
Gao T et al. · Protein expression and purification, 2025
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