Genetic Variation and Gene Expression of the Antimicrobial Peptide Macins in Asian Buffalo Leech (Hirudinaria manillensis)
Yu Y, Tang L, Xiao M, Yin J, Ye T, Sun R, Ai R, Zhao F, Huang Z, Lin G (2025) · Biology · n=30
Perfil del estudio
- Diseño
- genome and transcriptome sequencing of 30 Asian buffalo leech (Hirudinaria manillensis) individuals; integrative analysis with three other leech species (Hirudo medicinalis, Hirudo nipponia, Whitmania pigra); Chinese consortium led by Jinggangshan University
- Tamaño de la muestra (n)
- 30
- Intervención
- Comparative characterization of three macin antimicrobial peptide genes (Hman1, Hman2, Hman3) across 30 H. manillensis individuals, with cross-species comparison
- Comparador
- Macin expression and sequence variation in H. medicinalis, H. nipponia, and W. pigra
- Punto final primario
- Sequence conservation and transcripts-per-million (TPM) expression of macin genes
- Resultado primario
- Hman1 conserved (translatable in all individuals); Hman2 and Hman3 highly variable with frequent pseudogenization (4 Hman2, 28 Hman3 pseudogenes); total macin expression in H. manillensis <1/20 of comparator species; Hman1 retains function while Hman2/Hman3 appear to be losing antibacterial roles
- Duración del seguimiento
- Not applicable — comparative genomics
- PMID
- 40427706
Hallazgos clave
- 30 H. manillensis individuals sequenced - largest population genomics study to date for this species
- Three macin genes identified: Hman1 (conserved), Hman2 (variable), Hman3 (variable + pseudogenized)
- Macin expression in H. manillensis <1/20 of comparator leech species
- Pseudogenization evidence suggests Hman2/Hman3 losing antibacterial function
- Provides foundation for leech-derived antimicrobial peptide drug discovery against MDR pathogens
Limitaciones
- Population sampling limited to Chinese H. manillensis populations
- No functional anti-Aeromonas, anti-Vibrio, or anti-MRSA antimicrobial assays
- Sequence-based pseudogenization claims unvalidated by expression-level functional studies
- No mammalian or therapeutic application demonstrated
- Hirudinaria manillensis is not the K040187-cleared device leech in the US
Implicaciones clínicas
Yu 2025 expands the leech-derived antimicrobial-peptide literature in the context of growing global concern about antibiotic resistance. While not directly applicable to US K040187 clinical practice, the data inform broader translational research on leech-pharmacology-derived antimicrobials — a research direction with potential downstream relevance to hirudotherapy-associated infection prevention (per Brauer 2024 MAUDE resistance data).
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