Sociedad Americana de Hirudoterapia

Macrobdella decora Decorsin (Archetypal RGD Antiplatelet)

First-described platelet-aggregation-inhibitor decorsin (Seymour 1990) from the North American leech Macrobdella decora — RGD-motif anchor for the leech antiplatelet superfamily.

Preclínico / mecanísticoLast updated: 2026-05-28 · Reviewed by ASH Editorial Board
Molecular weight of Macrobdella decora Decorsin (Archetypal RGD Antiplatelet) compared with other characterized leech-derived compoundsHementerin80 kDaHementin80 kDaHementin-Like Protein (HLP-1)80 kDaLeech Collagenase70 kDaHaemadipsa yanyuanensis Progr…70 kDaLeech Apyrase67 kDaCalin65 kDaHyaluronidase60 kDaAntithrombin III binding prot…58 kDaCollagenolytic Fibrinolysin55 kDaLeech Thrombospondin-Like Pro…50 kDaMacrobdella decora Decorsin (…4.4 kDa
Molecular weight (kilodaltons) of Macrobdella decora Decorsin (Archetypal RGD Antiplatelet) (highlighted) alongside other characterized leech salivary compounds. Smaller proteins/peptides generally diffuse and act faster.

Mechanistic Evidence Box

Preclinical / mechanistic
Page type
Compound profile
Evidence type
First-described platelet-aggregation-inhibitor decorsin (Seymour 1990) from the North American leech Macrobdella decora — RGD-motif anchor for the leech antiplatelet superfamily.
Evidence level
In vitro
Drug vs leech
Purified natural compound
Safety domains
Bleeding

Clinical translation limit

Decorsin's in vitro antiplatelet activity does NOT establish clinical efficacy. M. decora is not on the FDA K040187 cleared device species list; no decorsin-derived drug has been FDA-approved.

Molecular Profile

Category
Antiplatelet
Evidence tier
Preclinical
Molecular weight
4,400 Da
Source species
Macrobdella decora
Discovered
1990 · Seymour JL et al.
Macrobdella decora Decorsin (Archetypal RGD Antiplatelet) molecular structure

Biological Targets

  • platelet GPIIb/IIIa receptor (via internal RGD motif)

Key Citations

  1. Seymour JL et al. (1990), J Biol Chem · PMID 2351655

External Resources

    Related Antiplatelet Compounds

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