Американское общество гирудотерапии

The amino acid sequence of antistasin. A potent inhibitor of factor Xa reveals a repeated internal structure

Research article published in Journal of biological chemistry (1988)

Последнее обновление: June 18, 2026Рецензент: ASH Editorial Board
Research article — evidence reviewArticle reference
Evidence: Preclinical (animal)Разработка лекарственных препаратовNutt E et al. · Journal of biological chemistry, 1988

Abstract

Antistasin is a 15-kDa protein from the salivary glands of the Mexican leech, Haementeria officinalis, which manifests anticoagulant activity by inhibiting factor Xa. Previous work demonstrating the presence of this activity in salivary gland extracts and its partial purification has been reported (Tuszynski, G. P., Gasic, T. B, and Gasic, G.J. (1987) J. Biol. Chem. 262, 9718-9723). The present study includes further purification to homogeneity of antistasin and its subsequent fragmentation and complete amino acid sequence determination. The protein, which possesses 119 amino acid residues, is blocked at its amino terminus by the presence of a pyroglutamic acid residue and has an unusually high cysteine content, with 20 cysteine residues. The primary structure of antistasin shows no homology to hirudin, a 65-residue anticoagulant protein from the medicinal leech, Hirudo medicinalis. Of great interest is the finding of significant internal homology within antistasin where a 2-fold internal repeated structure is observed. At least four isoforms of antistasin have been identified in leech salivary gland extracts by high performance liquid chromatography analysis, and partial amino acid sequence analysis of these isoforms indicates they differ by 1 or 2 amino acid residues.

Abstract sourced from PubMed (NCBI) for the cited record. See the original publication for the authoritative version.

Publication typeJournal ArticleResearch Support, Non-U.S. Gov'tResearch Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.
Indexed MeSH termsAmino Acid SequenceAnimalsAnticoagulantsFactor XaInvertebrate HormonesLeechesMolecular Sequence DataPeptide FragmentsSalivary GlandsSerine Proteinase Inhibitors

Резюме

The amino acid sequence of antistasin. A potent inhibitor of factor Xa reveals a repeated internal structure.

Почему это важно для гирудотерапии

This study reports the further purification and complete amino acid sequence determination of antistasin, a 15-kDa factor Xa inhibitor from the salivary glands of the Mexican leech Haementeria officinalis. Antistasin comprises 119 residues, has an amino-terminal pyroglutamic acid block, a high cysteine content (20 residues), a 2-fold internal repeated structure, no homology to hirudin (the 65-residue anticoagulant from Hirudo medicinalis), and at least four isoforms differing by 1-2 residues. For ASH's domain, this is directly relevant as foundational molecular characterization of a leech salivary anticoagulant. CAVEAT: This is structural/biochemical work with no in-vivo or clinical data; it concerns a specific Haementeria protein distinct from hirudin, so relevance to hirudotherapy using medicinal leeches is indirect.

Цитирование

The amino acid sequence of antistasin. A potent inhibitor of factor Xa reveals a repeated internal structure

Nutt E et al. · Journal of biological chemistry, 1988

Связанный клинический контекст

Узнайте, как это исследование связано с клинической практикой

Добавлено в библиотеку ASH: May 27, 2026 · Последнее обновление сайта: June 18, 2026

Этот сайт предоставляет образовательную информацию и не является медицинской консультацией, диагнозом или рекомендацией по лечению. Гирудотерапия сопряжена с клинически значимыми рисками и должна проводиться только квалифицированными клиницистами в рамках институционально утверждённых протоколов. Разрешение FDA 510(k) для медицинских пиявок ограничено определёнными показаниями; обсуждения исследовательского и нелицензионного применения отмечены соответствующим образом. Для индивидуальных медицинских рекомендаций обратитесь к квалифицированному медицинскому специалисту.