Cell-free synthesis of the hirudin variant 1 of the blood-sucking leech Hirudo medicinalis
Research article published in Scientific reports (2020)
Abstract
Synthesis and purification of peptide drugs for medical applications is a challenging task. The leech-derived factor hirudin is in clinical use as an alternative to heparin in anticoagulatory therapies. So far, recombinant hirudin is mainly produced in bacterial or yeast expression systems. We describe the successful development and application of an alternative protocol for the synthesis of active hirudin based on a cell-free protein synthesis approach. Three different cell lysates were compared, and the effects of two different signal peptide sequences on the synthesis of mature hirudin were determined. The combination of K562 cell lysates and the endogenous wild-type signal peptide sequence was most effective. Cell-free synthesized hirudin showed a considerably higher anti-thrombin activity compared to recombinant hirudin produced in bacterial cells.
Abstract sourced from PubMed (NCBI) for the cited record. See the original publication for the authoritative version.
Resumen
Synthesis and purification of peptide drugs for medical applications is a challenging task. The leech-derived factor hirudin is in clinical use as an alternative to heparin in anticoagulatory therapies.
Por qué esto importa para la hirudoterapia
Relevant to the development and clinical application of leech-derived pharmaceutical compounds.
Citación
Cell-free synthesis of the hirudin variant 1 of the blood-sucking leech Hirudo medicinalis.
Wüstenhagen D et al. · Scientific reports, 2020
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Añadido a la biblioteca ASH: March 18, 2026 · Última actualización del sitio: March 18, 2026