Effect of heavy metal lead on anticoagulant activity of leech based on label-free quantitative proteomics
Proteomics study published in China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica (2021)
Abstract
Whitmania pigra is the most widely distributed species of leeches in the market. In this study, the effect of heavy metal lead pollution on the anticoagulant activity of Wh. pigra was studied and the potential mechanism was explored. Pb(NO_3)_2 was used to contaminate the breeding soil which was then used to rear Wh. pigra for 50 days(lead-contaminated group, LC group), and meanwhile the blank control group(CG group) was set. Proteins were extracted from the obtained leech samples, and the differentially expressed proteins between LC and CG groups were analyzed by label-free proteomics technology. In this study, a total of 152 differentially expressed proteins were screened out, of which 93 proteins were up-regulated and 59 proteins were down-regulated in LC group. Bioinformatics analysis showed that the biological processes enriched with the differentially expressed proteins were mainly vesicle-mediated transport and transport positive regulation; the enriched cell components were mainly endocytosis vesicles and apical plasma membrane; the enriched molecular functions mainly included carbohydrate binding. The differentially expressed proteins were enriched in 76 KEGG pathways, which mainly involved metabolic pathways, biosynthesis of secondary metabolites, and bacterial invasion of epithelial cells. In this study, two differentially expressed proteins with Antistasin domain were presumed, which provides reference for further exploring the regulatory mechanism and signal transduction underlying the effect of lead pollution on the anticoagulant activity of leech.
Abstract sourced from PubMed (NCBI) for the cited record. See the original publication for the authoritative version.
Resumen
Label-free quantitative proteomics study showing lead contamination significantly alters leech anticoagulant proteome — identifies affected proteins.
Por qué esto importa para la hirudoterapia
Este estudio utilizó proteómica cuantitativa sin marcaje para investigar el efecto de la contaminación por el metal pesado plomo sobre la actividad anticoagulante de Whitmania pigra, comparando sanguijuelas criadas en suelo contaminado con plomo durante 50 días frente a un grupo control en blanco. Se identificaron un total de 152 proteínas diferencialmente expresadas (93 reguladas al alza y 59 reguladas a la baja en el grupo contaminado con plomo), con enriquecimiento en vías metabólicas, biosíntesis de metabolitos secundarios e invasión bacteriana de células epiteliales; se identificaron dos proteínas diferencialmente expresadas con dominios Antistasin como potencialmente relevantes para los cambios en la actividad anticoagulante. Este trabajo es relevante para el dominio de ASH, ya que aborda una preocupación práctica de calidad y seguridad —la contaminación ambiental por metales pesados— que podría comprometer la potencia terapéutica de los materiales derivados de sanguijuelas. Sin embargo, el estudio es proteómico e inferencial, y la significación funcional de las proteínas identificadas para la actividad anticoagulante requiere mayor validación dirigida.
Citación
Effect of heavy metal lead on anticoagulant activity of leech based on label-free quantitative proteomics.
Xue M et al. · Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi, 2021
Contexto clínico relacionado
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Añadido a la biblioteca ASH: May 27, 2026 · Última actualización del sitio: 18 de junio de 2026