Genetic variation and gene expression of the antimicrobial peptide macins in Asian Buffalo Leech

With the growing severity of antibiotic resistance, antimicrobial peptides demonstrate significant potential for medical applications. Here, we performed genome and transcriptome sequencing of 30 Asian buffalo leech (Hirudinaria manillensis) individuals and integrated data from three other leech species (Whitmania pigra, Hirudo nipponia, and Hirudo medicinalis) to investigate genetic variation and gene expression of H. manillensis macins. Three macins (Hman1, Hman2, and Hman3), along with their encoding genes (Hman1, Hman2, and Hman3), were identified in H. manillensis. Hman1 exhibited the highest similarity (63.5 ± 12.0%) to macins from other leeches, followed by Hman2 (57.8 ± 7.4%) and Hman3 (30.0 ± 3.5%). Both amino acid and codon sequences of Hman1 were conserved within the species, whereas Hman2 and Hman3 exhibited markedly higher variability. All Hman1 sequences were translatable, while four Hman2 and 28 Hman3 sequences had degenerated into pseudogenes. Transcripts per million (TPM) values for Hman1, Hman2, and Hman3 were 2196.63, 242.35, and 1.22, respectively. Total macin expression in H. manillensis was less than 1/20 of that in W. pigra. Based on sequence variation and expression patterns, we propose that Hman1 retains functionality while Hman2 and Hman3 have lost or are losing their antibacterial functions.

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

Genomic and expression analysis of antimicrobial macin peptides in the Asian buffalo leech Hirudinaria manillensis — identifies tissue-specific expression patterns and species-level variation.

Leech-derived molecules this paper discusses, each with a full profile in the ASH compound registry:

Explore cómo esta investigación se conecta con la práctica clínica

More peer-reviewed studies in Genómica y proteómica.

• 434 Salivary Proteins — Integrated Proteomics of Hirudo medicinalis — Liu et al. (2019)
• Medicinal Leech Genome Assembly — Anticoagulant Gene Catalog — Kvist et al. (2020)
• Effects of hirudotherapy on liver functions, lipid profile, and insulin sensitivity in rats with metabolic syndrome — Bilden A et al. (2026)
• Efficacy and Safety of Hirudotherapy for Improving Sperm Quality Parameters in Male Infertility: A Randomized Controlled Trial — Abtahi-Forooshani M et al. (2026)
• Hirudotherapy in Wound Healing — Nair H et al. (2022)
• [Medicinal leeches and hirudotherapy] — Gödekmerdan A et al. (2011)
• [Cutaneous pseudolymphoma after hirudotherapy : Case report and review] — Hanner S et al. (2022)
• HIRUDOTHERAPY IN PRESBYACUZIS PRAECOX IN CLEAN-UP WORKERS AFTER THE CHORNOBYL ACCIDENT DURING THE POST-CATASTROPHE YEARS — Zabolotnyi D, Mishchanchuk N (2019)
• Hirudotherapy (medicinal leeches) for treatment of upper airway obstruction in a dog — Trenholme H, Masseau I, Reinero C (2021)
• Leech therapy — Yantis M, O'Toole K, Ring P (2009)

Browse all ASH-analysed research →