Cloning of Guamerin gene in Whitmania pigra and its spatio-temporal expression analysis after ingestion
Basic science / molecular cloning published in Zhongguo Zhong Yao Za Zhi (2018)
Abstract
The present study cloned wpGuamerin gene from a non-bloodsucking leech (Whitmania pigra), and the bioinformatics analysis of the sequence was performed. Additionally, the effects of feeding duration on the expression profile of the wp Guamerin gene were explored. The results showed that its sequence consisted of 295 nucleotides encoding a peptide of 83 amino acids(Genbank: KX768545), and its relative molecular weight is 9 145.95 Da. wp Guamerin does not encode proteins with a signal peptide, belonging to the hydrophilic protein. Its secondary structure is mainly composed of α-helix, extending chain, folding and random curl. Its similarity with other blood-sucking leeches ranges from 29% to 65%. The results revealed that wpGuamerin mRNA was detected higher expression in muscle than in salivary glands of Wh. pigra, and did not expressed in ingluvies and intestine. Its expression in muscle and salivary glands showed a single peak curve after feeding and the peak was observed in the 1st and 3rd after feeding, respectively. In summary, wp Guamerin in Wh. pigra is a small molecule polypeptide protein and is different from the Guamerin in blood-sucking leeches. wpGuamerin does not express in the digestive tract of Wh. pigra, and mainly express in muscle. Feeding behavior would stimulate the expression of wpGuamerin gene in muscle and salivary glands, but not in digestive tract.
Abstract sourced from PubMed (NCBI) for the cited record. See the original publication for the authoritative version.
Resumen
Cloning of wpGuamerin (83-aa, 9.1 kDa) from the non-bloodsucking leech Whitmania pigra. Expressed primarily in muscle (not salivary glands as in blood-feeding leeches). Feeding behavior stimulates expression suggesting innate immunity role.
Por qué esto importa para la hirudoterapia
Este estudio clonó el gen wpGuamerin a partir de la sanguijuela no hematófaga Whitmania pigra y analizó su secuencia y perfil de expresión, encontrando que codifica un péptido de 83 aminoácidos con una similitud del 29% al 65% respecto a sanguijuelas hematófagas. Los investigadores observaron que wpGuamerin se expresó principalmente en músculo más que en glándulas salivales, estuvo ausente en el tracto digestivo y alcanzó su pico en el día 1 y día 3 tras la alimentación para el músculo y las glándulas salivales, respectivamente. Comprender dichos péptidos bioactivos a través de diversas especies de sanguijuelas aporta un contexto valioso para la Sociedad Americana de Hirudoterapia, destacando los diversos componentes moleculares del secretoma de la sanguijuela que pueden influir en las propiedades terapéuticas. Sin embargo, como caracterización molecular preclínica en una especie de sanguijuela no medicinal, este estudio no demuestra eficacia clínica ni la actividad funcional del péptido aislado.
Citación
Cloning of Guamerin gene in Whitmania pigra and its spatio-temporal expression analysis after ingestion.
Wu MJ et al. · Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi, 2018
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Añadido a la biblioteca ASH: May 27, 2026 · Última actualización del sitio: 18 de junio de 2026