Comparative Study of Lefaxin Family in Two Asian Leeches:and
Research article published in Biology (2025)
Abstract
Thrombotic diseases represent a significant global health burden, particularly for middle-aged and elderly populations. Medicinal leeches, such as Hirudinaria manillensis and Whitmania pigra, have been traditionally used for their anticoagulant properties. The genomes of these leeches each harbor three lefaxin genes, which are designated lefaxin_Hman1-3 and lefaxin_Wpig1-3, respectively. We conducted genomic and transcriptomic sequencing on wild populations of both species. Bioinformatics tools were employed to analyze intraspecific variation, molecular evolution, and protein structures. We expressed recombinant lefaxin proteins in Pichia pastoris and assessed their anticoagulant activities using in vitro coagulation assays. H. manillensis exhibited greater genetic diversity and stability, whereas W. pigra showed higher expression levels and hydrophilicity. Both species exhibited purifying selection, indicating conserved function, and their lefaxin structures are similar to the archetypal lefaxin (UniProt No. P86681.1). W. pigra lefaxins bound Factor Xa more effectively. W. pigra lefaxins exhibited more robust anticoagulant activity in vitro compared to those from H. manillensis. W. pigra, a non-hematophagous leech, shows potent anticoagulant activity through lefaxins, challenging traditional views on leech efficacy. This study underscores the potential of lefaxins as therapeutic targets for thrombotic diseases and highlights the need to reconsider the use of various leech species in medicine.
Abstract sourced from PubMed (NCBI) for the cited record. See the original publication for the authoritative version.
Resumen
Thrombotic diseases represent a significant global health burden, particularly for middle-aged and elderly populations.
Por qué esto importa para la hirudoterapia
Este estudio comparó la familia génica de las lefaxinas en dos especies de sanguijuela —Hirudinaria manillensis y Whitmania pigra— mediante análisis genómicos, transcriptómicos y bioinformáticos, expresando lefaxinas recombinantes en Pichia pastoris y evaluando la actividad anticoagulante mediante ensayos de coagulación in vitro. Las lefaxinas de W. pigra mostraron una actividad anticoagulante más robusta y una unión al factor Xa superior en comparación con las lefaxinas de H. manillensis, y cabe destacar que, según se describe en el resumen, W. pigra es una sanguijuela no hematófaga que, no obstante, presenta una potente actividad anticoagulante a través de las lefaxinas. Esto es directamente relevante para el ámbito de la ASH, ya que caracteriza proteínas anticoagulantes de sanguijuelas medicinales con posibles implicaciones terapéuticas para enfermedades trombóticas. Sin embargo, los hallazgos se limitan a ensayos de coagulación in vitro, sin datos en animales ni clínicos.
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Añadido a la biblioteca ASH: May 27, 2026 · Última actualización del sitio: 18 de junio de 2026