Isolation and characterization of poecistasin, an anti-thrombotic antistasin-type serine protease inhibitor from leech
Biochemistry study published in Toxins (2018)
Abstract
Antistasin, first identified as a potent inhibitor of the blood coagulation factor Xa, is a novel family of serine protease inhibitors. In this study, we purified a novel antistasin-type inhibitor from leech Poecilobdella manillensis called poecistasin. Amino acid sequencing of this 48-amino-acid protein revealed that poecistasin was an antistasin-type inhibitor known to consist of only one domain. Poecistasin inhibited factor XIIa, kallikrein, trypsin, and elastase, but had no inhibitory effect on factor Xa and thrombin. Poecistasin showed anticoagulant activities. It prolonged the activated partial thromboplastin time and inhibited FeCl₃-induced carotid artery thrombus formation, implying its potent function in helping Poecilobdella manillensis to take a blood meal from the host by inhibiting coagulation. Poecistasin also suppressed ischemic stroke symptoms in transient middle cerebral artery occlusion mice model. Our results suggest that poecistasin from the leech Poecilobdella manillensis plays a crucial role in blood-sucking and may be an excellent candidate for the development of clinical anti-thrombosis and anti-ischemic stroke medicines.
Abstract sourced from PubMed (NCBI) for the cited record. See the original publication for the authoritative version.
Resumen
Isolates poecistasin, an antistasin-type inhibitor from Poecilobdella manillensis with antithrombotic activity — adds to leech serpin-pharmacology catalog.
Por qué esto importa para la hirudoterapia
Este estudio aisló y caracterizó la poecistasina, un nuevo inhibidor de serina proteasa de tipo antistasina, aislado de la sanguijuela Poecilobdella manillensis. Los investigadores encontraron que esta proteína de 48 aminoácidos exhibe propiedades anticoagulantes al inhibir el factor XIIa y prolongar el tiempo de tromboplastina parcial activada, lo que posteriormente redujo la formación de trombos arteriales y suprimió los síntomas del accidente cerebrovascular isquémico en un modelo murino. Estos hallazgos son altamente relevantes para la American Society of Hirudotherapy, ya que destacan un componente recién identificado del secretoma de la sanguijuela que contribuye a la alimentación sanguínea y posee potencial para el desarrollo de nuevas terapias antitrombóticas. Sin embargo, los datos son completamente preclínicos, derivados de modelos animales y ensayos in vitro, y se requiere investigación adicional para determinar cualquier aplicabilidad clínica en humanos.
Citación
Isolation and characterization of poecistasin, an anti-thrombotic antistasin-type serine protease inhibitor from leech.
Tang X et al. · Toxins, 2018
Contexto clínico relacionado
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Añadido a la biblioteca ASH: May 27, 2026 · Última actualización del sitio: 18 de junio de 2026