1
|
Liu Z, Zhao F, Huang Z, Hu Q, Meng R, Lin Y, Qi J, Lin G. Revisiting the Asian Buffalo Leech ( Hirudinaria manillensis) Genome: Focus on Antithrombotic Genes and Their Corresponding Proteins. Genes (Basel) 2023; 14:2068. [PMID: 38003011 PMCID: PMC10671345 DOI: 10.3390/genes14112068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2023] [Revised: 11/05/2023] [Accepted: 11/10/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Leeches are well-known annelids due to their obligate blood-feeding habits. Some leech species secrete various biologically active substances which have important medical and pharmaceutical value in antithrombotic treatments. In this study, we provided a high-quality genome of the Asian buffalo leech (Hirudinaria manillensis), based on which we performed a systematic identification of potential antithrombotic genes and their corresponding proteins. Combining automatic and manual prediction, we identified 21 antithrombotic gene families including fourteen coagulation inhibitors, three platelet aggregation inhibitors, three fibrinolysis enhancers, and one tissue penetration enhancer. A total of 72 antithrombotic genes, including two pseudogenes, were identified, including most of their corresponding proteins forming three or more disulfide bonds. Three protein families (LDTI, antistasin, and granulin) had internal tandem repeats containing 6, 10, and 12 conserved cysteines, respectively. We also measured the anticoagulant activities of the five identified hirudins (hirudin_Hman1 ~ hirudin_Hman5). The results showed that three (hirudin_Hman1, hirudin_Hman2, and hirudin_Hman5), but not the remaining two, exhibited anticoagulant activities. Our study provides the most comprehensive collection of antithrombotic biomacromolecules from a leech to date. These results will greatly facilitate the research and application of leech derivatives for medical and pharmaceutical purposes in the treatment of thrombotic diseases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zichao Liu
- Engineering Research Center for Exploitation and Utilization of Leech Resources in Universities of Yunnan Province, School of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Kunming University, Kunming 650214, China; (Z.L.); (Q.H.); (R.M.)
| | - Fang Zhao
- School of Life Sciences, Jinggangshan University, Ji’an 343009, China; (F.Z.); (Z.H.); (Y.L.)
| | - Zuhao Huang
- School of Life Sciences, Jinggangshan University, Ji’an 343009, China; (F.Z.); (Z.H.); (Y.L.)
| | - Qingmei Hu
- Engineering Research Center for Exploitation and Utilization of Leech Resources in Universities of Yunnan Province, School of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Kunming University, Kunming 650214, China; (Z.L.); (Q.H.); (R.M.)
| | - Renyuan Meng
- Engineering Research Center for Exploitation and Utilization of Leech Resources in Universities of Yunnan Province, School of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Kunming University, Kunming 650214, China; (Z.L.); (Q.H.); (R.M.)
| | - Yiquan Lin
- School of Life Sciences, Jinggangshan University, Ji’an 343009, China; (F.Z.); (Z.H.); (Y.L.)
| | - Jianxia Qi
- Nujiang Management Bureau of Gaoligongshan National Nature Reserve, Nujiang 673199, China;
| | - Gonghua Lin
- School of Life Sciences, Jinggangshan University, Ji’an 343009, China; (F.Z.); (Z.H.); (Y.L.)
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Shi P, Wei J, You H, Chen S, Tan F, Lu Z. Cloning, characterization, and heterologous expression of a candidate Hirudin gene from the salivary gland transcriptome of Hirudo nipponia. Sci Rep 2023; 13:4943. [PMID: 36973525 PMCID: PMC10042815 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-32303-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2022] [Accepted: 03/25/2023] [Indexed: 03/29/2023] Open
Abstract
AbstractHirudin is a pharmacologically active substance in leeches with potent blood anticoagulation properties. Although recombinant hirudin production isolated from Hirudo medicinalis Linnaeus and Hirudinaria manillensis Lesson is known, to our knowledge, this study is the first to report recombinant hirudin expression and production from Hirudo nipponia Whitman. Thus, the present study aimed to clone and characterize the full-length cDNA of a candidate hirudin gene (c16237_g1), which is localized on the salivary gland transcriptome of H. nipponia, and further evaluate its recombinant production using a eukaryotic expression system. The 489-bp cDNA possessed several properties of the hirudin “core” motifs associated with binding to the thrombin catalytic pocket. A fusion expression vector (pPIC9K-hirudin) was constructed and successfully transformed into Pichia pastoris strain GS115 via electroporation. Sodium dodecyl sulphate–polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and western blot analysis confirmed hirudin expression. The recombinant protein was expressed with a yield of 6.68 mg/L culture. Mass spectrometry analysis further confirmed target protein expression. The concentration and antithrombin activity of purified hirudin were 1.67 mg/mL and 14,000 ATU/mL, respectively. These findings provide a basis for further elucidating the molecular anticoagulation mechanism of hirudin, and address China’s growing market demand for engineered H. nipponia-derived hirudin and hirudin-based drugs.
Collapse
|
3
|
Lukas P, Melikian G, Hildebrandt JP, Müller C. Make it double: identification and characterization of a Tandem-Hirudin from the Asian medicinal leech Hirudinaria manillensis. Parasitol Res 2022; 121:2995-3006. [PMID: 36006484 PMCID: PMC9464118 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-022-07634-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2022] [Accepted: 08/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Haematophagous leeches express a broad variety of secretory proteins in their salivary glands, among them are hirudins and hirudin-like factors. Here, we describe the identification, molecular and initial functional characterization of Tandem-Hirudin (TH), a novel salivary gland derived factor identified in the Asian medicinal leech, Hirudinaria manillensis. In contrast to the typical structure of hirudins, TH comprises two globular domains arranged in a tandem-like orientation and lacks the elongated C-terminal tail. Similar structures of thrombin inhibitors have so far been identified only in kissing bugs and ticks. Expression of TH was performed in both cell-based and cell-free bacterial systems. A subsequent functional characterization revealed no evidence for a thrombin-inhibitory potency of TH.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Phil Lukas
- Animal Physiology, Zoological Institute and Museum, University of Greifswald, Felix-Hausdorff-Str. 1, D-17489, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Georgij Melikian
- Animal Physiology, Zoological Institute and Museum, University of Greifswald, Felix-Hausdorff-Str. 1, D-17489, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Jan-Peter Hildebrandt
- Animal Physiology, Zoological Institute and Museum, University of Greifswald, Felix-Hausdorff-Str. 1, D-17489, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Christian Müller
- Animal Physiology, Zoological Institute and Museum, University of Greifswald, Felix-Hausdorff-Str. 1, D-17489, Greifswald, Germany.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Müller C, Wang Z, Hamann M, Sponholz D, Hildebrandt JP. Life without blood: Molecular and functional analysis of hirudins and hirudin-like factors of the Asian non-hematophagous leech Whitmania pigra. J Thromb Haemost 2022; 20:1808-1817. [PMID: 35587545 DOI: 10.1111/jth.15762] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2021] [Revised: 04/29/2022] [Accepted: 05/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Several leech species of the genera Hirudo, Hirudinaria, and Whitmania are widely used in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) for the oral treatment of disorders associated with blood stasis. Among them, the non-hematophagous leech Whitmania pigra expresses a variety of components that have the potential to act on the vertebrate blood coagulation system. OBJECTIVE Whether the thrombin inhibitor hirudin, probably the most prominent leech-derived anticoagulant, is actually present in Whitmania pigra, is still a matter of debate. To answer that open question was the aim of the study. METHODS We identified several putative hirudin-encoding sequences in transcriptome data of Whitmania pigra. Upon gene synthesis and molecular cloning the respective recombinant proteins were expressed in Escherichia coli, purified, processed, and eventually functionally characterized for thrombin-inhibitory potencies in coagulation assays. RESULTS We were successful in the identification and functional characterization of several putative hirudins in Whitmania pigra. Some, but not all, of these factors are indeed thrombin inhibitors. Whitmania pigra hence expresses both hirudins (factors that inhibit thrombin) and hirudin-like factors (that do not or only very weakly inhibit thrombin). Furthermore, we revealed the exon/intron structures of the corresponding genes. Coding sequences of some putative hirudins of Whitmania pigra were present also in transcriptome datasets of Hirudo nipponia, a hematophagous leech that is likewise used in TCM. CONCLUSIONS Based on both structural and functional data we provide very strong evidence for the expression of hirudins in Whitmania pigra. This is the first description of hirudins in a non-hematophagous leech.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Christian Müller
- Department of Animal Physiology, Zoological Institute and Museum, University of Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Zhongjie Wang
- Department of Animal Physiology, Zoological Institute and Museum, University of Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Magdalena Hamann
- Department of Animal Physiology, Zoological Institute and Museum, University of Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Dana Sponholz
- Department of Animal Physiology, Zoological Institute and Museum, University of Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Jan-Peter Hildebrandt
- Department of Animal Physiology, Zoological Institute and Museum, University of Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Montinari MR, Minelli S. From ancient leech to direct thrombin inhibitors and beyond: New from old. Biomed Pharmacother 2022; 149:112878. [PMID: 35364378 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2022.112878] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2022] [Revised: 03/13/2022] [Accepted: 03/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Medicinal leeches have been used in health care since before written history, with widely varying popularity over the centuries. Nowadays, medicinal leech therapy is mainly used in plastic and reconstructive microsurgery, with new interesting potential therapeutic applications in many other diseases. The leech's best-known salivary product, hirudin - one of the most powerful natural anticoagulants - was the only remedy to prevent blood clotting until the discovery of heparin. Starting from hirudin, pharmacological research succeeded in developing new anticoagulants, which represent a cornerstone of prevention and treatment of thromboembolic disease. While we are perhaps on the threshold of a new era of anticoagulation, with the development of FXI and XII inhibitors and direct reversible covalent thrombin inhibitors, which promise to achieve effective anticoagulation without bleeding risk. This review retraces the intriguing journey of these drugs in cardiovascular disease, highlighting the fil rouge that links the ancient leech to the current and oncoming antithrombotic therapy. We think that knowledge of the past is key to understanding and appreciating the present and to seize future opportunities.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Maria Rosa Montinari
- Chair of History of Medicine, Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences and Technologies, University of Salento, Lecce, Italy.
| | | |
Collapse
|
6
|
Resch JC, Hedstrom R, Steiner ME, Said SM, Somani A. Hirudotherapy for limb ischemia in the pediatric intensive care unit: A retrospective observational cohort. Front Pediatr 2022; 10:1011171. [PMID: 36683785 PMCID: PMC9849792 DOI: 10.3389/fped.2022.1011171] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2022] [Accepted: 12/12/2022] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Acute limb ischemia due to microvascular malperfusion may be refractory to initial therapies. Medicinal leech therapy (hirudotherapy) has been attempted in plastic and reconstructive surgery to improve venous congestion in ischemic flaps; however, there are minimal reports related to ischemia secondary to arterial malperfusion. We evaluated a pediatric cohort from an academic intensive care unit with refractory limb ischemia in whom hirudotherapy was attempted to elucidate its use and outcomes. METHOD Institutional patient database was queried to identify pediatric patients (<18 years) who received hirudotherapy in the pediatric critical care unit and met inclusion/exclusion criteria. Patient charts were evaluated for indices including demographics, primary disease, coagulative status, vascular access, vasoactive medication dosing, bleeding, leech use, limb and mortality outcomes. Data was evaluated to identify trends or suspected impact on outcomes. RESULTS Hirudotherapy was used in 7 patients for limb ischemia, 5 with congenital heart disease, and 2 others with viremic shock. Time to leech application following recognition of ischemia averaged 3 days, with duration of use averaging 3.9 days. Five patients discontinued therapy due to bleeding. Mortality rate was 57%, all secondary to multiorgan failure. In 3 surviving patients, 4 of 5 treated limbs resulted in at minimum partial amputation. Vasoactive-inotropic score tended higher prior to leech application, suggesting a vasoconstrictive pathway for arterial malperfusion. No identifiable trends appeared associated with salvaged limb or adverse effects. Blood loss predictably increased with leech application, as did total transfusion requirement. CONCLUSION This case series establishes baseline data for use of hirudotherapy in critically ill children with acute limb ischemia caused by arterial malperfusion. Based on this retrospective cohort, we cannot recommend routine use of hirudotherapy for acute limb ischemia from arterial malperfusion in the pediatric intensive care unit. Application of leeches should be aligned with a protocol defining start and stop parameters, standardized leech utilization, and monitoring for adverse outcomes. Future study would benefit from consensus definitions of study outcomes, including perfusion recovery, tissue/limb salvage and bleeding manifestations. Additional prospective studies are needed prior to any standard or systematic recommendations for use.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Joseph C Resch
- Department of Pediatric Critical Care, University of Minnesota, M Health Fairview Masonic Children's Hospital, Minneapolis, MN, United States
| | - Rachel Hedstrom
- Department of Pediatric Critical Care, University of Minnesota, M Health Fairview Masonic Children's Hospital, Minneapolis, MN, United States
| | - Marie E Steiner
- Department of Pediatric Critical Care, University of Minnesota, M Health Fairview Masonic Children's Hospital, Minneapolis, MN, United States
| | - Sameh M Said
- Department of Pediatric Cardiac Surgery, University of Minnesota Masonic Children's Hospital, Minneapolis, MN, United States
| | - Arif Somani
- Department of Pediatric Critical Care, University of Minnesota, M Health Fairview Masonic Children's Hospital, Minneapolis, MN, United States
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Müller C, Eickelmann C, Sponholz D, Hildebrandt JP. Short tail stories: the hirudin-like factors HLF6 and HLF7 of the Asian medicinal leech, Hirudinaria manillensis. Parasitol Res 2021; 120:3761-3769. [PMID: 34599360 PMCID: PMC8516769 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-021-07316-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2021] [Accepted: 09/14/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
The leech-derived hirudins and hirudin-like factors (HLFs) share a common molecule structure: a short N-terminus, a central globular domain, and an elongated C-terminal tail. All parts are important for function. HLF6 and HLF7 were identified in the Asian medicinal leech, Hirudinaria manillensis. The genes of both factors encode putative splice variants that differ in length and composition of their respective C-terminal tails. In either case, the tails are considerably shorter compared to hirudins. Here we describe the functional analyses of the natural splice variants and of synthetic variants that comprise an altered N-terminus and/or a modified central globular domain. All natural splice variants of HLF6 and HLF7 display no detectable thrombin-inhibitory potency. In contrast, some synthetic variants effectively inhibit thrombin, even with tails as short as six amino acid residues in length. Our data indicate that size and composition of the C-terminal tail of hirudins and HLFs can vary in a great extent, yet the full protein may still retain the ability to inhibit thrombin.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Christian Müller
- Animal Physiology and Biochemistry, Zoological Institute and Museum, University of Greifswald, Felix-Hausdorff-Str. 1, 17489, Greifswald, Germany.
| | - Chantal Eickelmann
- Animal Physiology and Biochemistry, Zoological Institute and Museum, University of Greifswald, Felix-Hausdorff-Str. 1, 17489, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Dana Sponholz
- Animal Physiology and Biochemistry, Zoological Institute and Museum, University of Greifswald, Felix-Hausdorff-Str. 1, 17489, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Jan-Peter Hildebrandt
- Animal Physiology and Biochemistry, Zoological Institute and Museum, University of Greifswald, Felix-Hausdorff-Str. 1, 17489, Greifswald, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Wolffia arrhiza as a promising producer of recombinant hirudin. 3 Biotech 2021; 11:209. [PMID: 33927997 DOI: 10.1007/s13205-021-02762-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2021] [Accepted: 03/29/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The production of recombinant proteins in transgenic plants is becoming an increasingly serious alternative to classical biopharming methods as knowledge about this process grows. Wolffia arrhiza, an aquatic plant unique in its anatomy, is a promising expression system that can grow in submerged culture in bioreactors. In our study 8550 explants were subjected to Agrobacterium-mediated transformation, and 41 independent hygromycin-resistant Wolffia lines were obtained, with the transformation efficiency of 0.48%. 40 of them contained the hirudin-1 gene (codon-optimized for expression in plants) and were independent lines of nuclear-transformed Wolffia, the transgenic insertion has been confirmed by PCR and Southern blot analysis. We have analyzed the accumulation of the target protein and its expression has been proven in three transgenic lines. The maximum accumulation of recombinant hirudin was 0.02% of the total soluble protein, which corresponds to 775.5 ± 111.9 ng g-1 of fresh weight of the plant. The results will be used in research on the development of an expression system based on Wolffia plants for the production of hirudin and other recombinant pharmaceutical proteins.
Collapse
|
9
|
Junren C, Xiaofang X, Huiqiong Z, Gangmin L, Yanpeng Y, Xiaoyu C, Yuqing G, Yanan L, Yue Z, Fu P, Cheng P. Pharmacological Activities and Mechanisms of Hirudin and Its Derivatives - A Review. Front Pharmacol 2021; 12:660757. [PMID: 33935784 PMCID: PMC8085555 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2021.660757] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2021] [Accepted: 03/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Hirudin, an acidic polypeptide secreted by the salivary glands of Hirudo medicinalis (also known as "Shuizhi" in traditional Chinese medicine), is the strongest natural specific inhibitor of thrombin found so far. Hirudin has been demonstrated to possess potent anti-thrombotic effect in previous studies. Recently, increasing researches have focused on the anti-thrombotic activity of the derivatives of hirudin, mainly because these derivatives have stronger antithrombotic activity and lower bleeding risk. Additionally, various bioactivities of hirudin have been reported as well, including wound repair effect, anti-fibrosis effect, effect on diabetic complications, anti-tumor effect, anti-hyperuricemia effect, effect on cerebral hemorrhage, and others. Therefore, by collecting and summarizing publications from the recent two decades, the pharmacological activities, pharmacokinetics, novel preparations and derivatives, as well as toxicity of hirudin were systematically reviewed in this paper. In addition, the clinical application, the underlying mechanisms of pharmacological effects, the dose-effect relationship, and the development potential in new drug research of hirudin were discussed on the purpose of providing new ideas for application of hirudin in treating related diseases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chen Junren
- State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, Chengdu, China.,Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Xie Xiaofang
- State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, Chengdu, China.,Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Zhang Huiqiong
- State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, Chengdu, China.,Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Li Gangmin
- State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, Chengdu, China.,Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Yin Yanpeng
- State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, Chengdu, China.,Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Cao Xiaoyu
- State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, Chengdu, China.,Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Gao Yuqing
- State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, Chengdu, China.,Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Li Yanan
- State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, Chengdu, China.,Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Zhang Yue
- State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, Chengdu, China.,Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Peng Fu
- State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, Chengdu, China.,Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China.,West China School of Pharmacy, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Peng Cheng
- State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, Chengdu, China.,Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Iwama RE, Tessler M, Siddall ME, Kvist S. The Origin and Evolution of Antistasin-like Proteins in Leeches (Hirudinida, Clitellata). Genome Biol Evol 2021; 13:evaa242. [PMID: 33527140 PMCID: PMC7851590 DOI: 10.1093/gbe/evaa242] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/15/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Bloodfeeding is employed by many parasitic animals and requires specific innovations for efficient feeding. Some of these innovations are molecular features that are related to the inhibition of hemostasis. For example, bloodfeeding insects, bats, and leeches release proteins with anticoagulatory activity through their salivary secretions. The antistasin-like protein family, composed of serine protease inhibitors with one or more antistasin-like domains, is tightly linked to inhibition of hemostasis in leeches. However, this protein family has been recorded also in non-bloodfeeding invertebrates, such as cnidarians, mollusks, polychaetes, and oligochaetes. The present study aims to 1) root the antistasin-like gene tree and delimit the major orthologous groups, 2) identify potential independent origins of salivary proteins secreted by leeches, and 3) identify major changes in domain and/or motif structure within each orthologous group. Five clades containing leech antistasin-like proteins are distinguishable through rigorous phylogenetic analyses based on nine new transcriptomes and a diverse set of comparative data: the trypsin + leukocyte elastase inhibitors clade, the antistasin clade, the therostasin clade, and two additional, unnamed clades. The antistasin-like gene tree supports multiple origins of leech antistasin-like proteins due to the presence of both leech and non-leech sequences in one of the unnamed clades, but a single origin of factor Xa and trypsin + leukocyte elastase inhibitors. This is further supported by three sequence motifs that are exclusive to antistasins, the trypsin + leukocyte elastase inhibitor clade, and the therostasin clade, respectively. We discuss the implications of our findings for the evolution of this diverse family of leech anticoagulants.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rafael Eiji Iwama
- Department of Natural History, Royal Ontario Museum, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Michael Tessler
- Department of Biology, St. Francis College, Brooklyn, New York, USA
- Division of Invertebrate Zoology, American Museum of Natural History, New York, New York, USA
- Sackler Institute for Comparative Genomics, American Museum of Natural History, New York, New York, USA
| | | | - Sebastian Kvist
- Department of Natural History, Royal Ontario Museum, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Wüstenhagen DA, Lukas P, Müller C, Aubele SA, Hildebrandt JP, Kubick S. Cell-free synthesis of the hirudin variant 1 of the blood-sucking leech Hirudo medicinalis. Sci Rep 2020; 10:19818. [PMID: 33188246 PMCID: PMC7666225 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-76715-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2020] [Accepted: 10/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Synthesis and purification of peptide drugs for medical applications is a challenging task. The leech-derived factor hirudin is in clinical use as an alternative to heparin in anticoagulatory therapies. So far, recombinant hirudin is mainly produced in bacterial or yeast expression systems. We describe the successful development and application of an alternative protocol for the synthesis of active hirudin based on a cell-free protein synthesis approach. Three different cell lysates were compared, and the effects of two different signal peptide sequences on the synthesis of mature hirudin were determined. The combination of K562 cell lysates and the endogenous wild-type signal peptide sequence was most effective. Cell-free synthesized hirudin showed a considerably higher anti-thrombin activity compared to recombinant hirudin produced in bacterial cells.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Doreen A Wüstenhagen
- Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology (IZI), Branch Bioanalytics and Bioprocesses Potsdam-Golm (IZI-BB), 14476, Potsdam, Germany
| | - Phil Lukas
- Animal Physiology and Biochemistry, Zoological Institute and Museum, University of Greifswald, 17489, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Christian Müller
- Animal Physiology and Biochemistry, Zoological Institute and Museum, University of Greifswald, 17489, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Simone A Aubele
- Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology (IZI), Branch Bioanalytics and Bioprocesses Potsdam-Golm (IZI-BB), 14476, Potsdam, Germany
| | - Jan-Peter Hildebrandt
- Animal Physiology and Biochemistry, Zoological Institute and Museum, University of Greifswald, 17489, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Stefan Kubick
- Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology (IZI), Branch Bioanalytics and Bioprocesses Potsdam-Golm (IZI-BB), 14476, Potsdam, Germany. .,Faculty of Health Sciences, Joint Faculty of the Brandenburg University of Technology Cottbus - Senftenberg, The Brandenburg Medical School Theodor Fontane and the University of Potsdam, 16816, Neuruppin, Germany.
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Han HH, Zhang HT, Wang R, Yan Y, Liu X, Wang Y, Zhu Y, Wang JC. Improving long circulation and procoagulant platelet targeting by engineering of hirudin prodrug. Int J Pharm 2020; 589:119869. [PMID: 32919000 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpharm.2020.119869] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2020] [Revised: 08/28/2020] [Accepted: 09/06/2020] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
To reduce systemic bleeding risks during anticoagulant treatment, a new concept named "precise anticoagulation" was proposed to localize the effects of anticoagulants via the targeted delivery of prodrugs to the coagulation site. In this study, the fusion protein Annexin V-hirudin 3-ABD (hAvHA) was constructed to achieve the prolonged circulation and targeted delivery of hirudin to coagulation sites. hAvHA was inactive as a prodrug, and it could bind to albumin during circulation. The drug was quickly activated via factor Xa-mediated cleavage once coagulation occurred, and hirudin was efficiently released to exert antithrombin activity in vitro. The hAvHA protein could be activated in mouse blood and exert significant anticoagulation effects. The results of FITC labeling illustrated that hAvHA bound to procoagulant platelets, suggesting the Annexin V modification permits targeted delivery to sites of thrombosis. hAvHA bound to albumin in vitro with an equilibrium dissociation constant of 8 pM, suggesting the ABD modification permitted prolonged circulation in vivo. Moreover, the bleeding time was much shorter in hAvHA-treated mice than in hirudin-treated mice. Therefore, our results suggested that that hAvHA is a potential and promising anticoagulant in vivo.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hu-Hu Han
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Molecular Pharmaceutics and New Drug Delivery Systems, State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Hai-Tao Zhang
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Molecular Pharmaceutics and New Drug Delivery Systems, State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, China; Hunan Province Cooperative Innovation Center for Molecular Target New Drug Study, Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Tumor Microenvironment Responsive Drug Research, University of South China, Hunan, China
| | - Ru Wang
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Molecular Pharmaceutics and New Drug Delivery Systems, State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Yi Yan
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Molecular Pharmaceutics and New Drug Delivery Systems, State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaoyan Liu
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Pharmacology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Yinye Wang
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Pharmacology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Yuanjun Zhu
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Pharmacology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, China.
| | - Jian-Cheng Wang
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Molecular Pharmaceutics and New Drug Delivery Systems, State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, China.
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Draft genome of the European medicinal leech Hirudo medicinalis (Annelida, Clitellata, Hirudiniformes) with emphasis on anticoagulants. Sci Rep 2020; 10:9885. [PMID: 32555498 PMCID: PMC7303139 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-66749-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2020] [Accepted: 04/28/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The European medicinal leech has been used for medicinal purposes for millennia, and continues to be used today in modern hospital settings. Its utility is granted by the extremely potent anticoagulation factors that the leech secretes into the incision wound during feeding and, although a handful of studies have targeted certain anticoagulants, the full range of anticoagulation factors expressed by this species remains unknown. Here, we present the first draft genome of the European medicinal leech, Hirudo medicinalis, and estimate that we have sequenced between 79–94% of the full genome. Leveraging these data, we searched for anticoagulation factors across the genome of H. medicinalis. Following orthology determination through a series of BLAST searches, as well as phylogenetic analyses, we estimate that fully 15 different known anticoagulation factors are utilized by the species, and that 17 other proteins that have been linked to antihemostasis are also present in the genome. We underscore the utility of the draft genome for comparative studies of leeches and discuss our results in an evolutionary context.
Collapse
|
14
|
Huang Q, Gao Q, Chai X, Ren W, Zhang G, Kong Y, Zhang Y, Gao J, Lei X, Ma L. A novel thrombin inhibitory peptide discovered from leech using affinity chromatography combined with ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-high resolution mass spectroscopy. J Chromatogr B Analyt Technol Biomed Life Sci 2020; 1151:122153. [PMID: 32512533 DOI: 10.1016/j.jchromb.2020.122153] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2020] [Revised: 04/21/2020] [Accepted: 05/09/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Thrombin (THR) inhibitors play an important role in the treatment of thrombotic diseases. This study established a THR-based bio-specific extraction coupled with affinity chromatography and ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-high resolution mass spectroscopy (UPLC-HR-MS) analysis method to screen and identify THR ligands in Leech. After evaluating the reliability of the screening method using positive control drug (hirudin), it was successfully used to screen the potential active constituents in leech. And a comprehensive analysis of the peptides in leech elution was performed by UPLC-HR-MS, a total of 34 peptides were identified. At the same time, anti-THR activity was explored and inferred by searching databases and published literature. As a result, six peptides were discovered to be potential active compounds in leech. Further, the six peptides were synthesized and in vitro enzymatic activity assay was performed. Finally, SYELPDGQVITIGNER was screened as an anti-THR peptide with an IC50 value of 255.75 µM and it was discovered for the first time from Whitmania pigra Whitman and Hirudo nipponica Whitman. The molecular docking study showed that THR inhibitory activity of the polypeptide was mainly attributed to the hydrogen bond interactions, van der Waals forces and electrostatic interactions interaction between polypeptide and THR. These results suggest that the polypeptide is a potential natural THR inhibitor that can be used as anticoagulant.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Qiuyang Huang
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, China
| | - Qian Gao
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, China
| | - Xiaoxin Chai
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, China
| | - Wei Ren
- Affiliated Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou 646000, China
| | - Guifeng Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Biochemical Engineering, Institute of Process Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China
| | - Yingjun Kong
- State Key Laboratory of Biochemical Engineering, Institute of Process Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China
| | - Yan Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Biochemical Engineering, Institute of Process Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China
| | - Jianping Gao
- State Key Laboratory of Biochemical Engineering, Institute of Process Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China
| | - Xiongxin Lei
- State Key Laboratory of Biochemical Engineering, Institute of Process Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China
| | - Li Ma
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, China.
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Müller C, Lukas P, Sponholz D, Hildebrandt JP. The hirudin-like factors HLF3 and HLF4-hidden hirudins of European medicinal leeches. Parasitol Res 2020; 119:1767-1775. [PMID: 32363441 PMCID: PMC7261268 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-020-06697-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2020] [Accepted: 04/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
The hirudin-like factors 3 (HLF3) and 4 (HLF4) belong to a new class of leech-derived factors and are present in specimens of the three European medicinal leeches, Hirudo medicinalis, Hirudo verbana, and Hirudo orientalis, respectively. Here we describe the functional analysis of natural and synthetic variants of HLF3 and HLF4. Whereas the natural variants display only very low or no detectable anti-coagulatory activities, modifications within the N-termini in combination with an exchange of the central globular domain have the potency to greatly enhance the inhibitory effects of respective HLF3 and HLF4 variants on blood coagulation. Our results support previous observations on the crucial importance of all parts (both the N- and C-termini as well as the central globular domains) of hirudin and HLF molecules for thrombin inhibition.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Christian Müller
- Animal Physiology and Biochemistry, Zoological Institute and Museum, University of Greifswald, Felix-Hausdorff-Str. 1, 17489, Greifswald, Germany.
| | - Phil Lukas
- Animal Physiology and Biochemistry, Zoological Institute and Museum, University of Greifswald, Felix-Hausdorff-Str. 1, 17489, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Dana Sponholz
- Animal Physiology and Biochemistry, Zoological Institute and Museum, University of Greifswald, Felix-Hausdorff-Str. 1, 17489, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Jan-Peter Hildebrandt
- Animal Physiology and Biochemistry, Zoological Institute and Museum, University of Greifswald, Felix-Hausdorff-Str. 1, 17489, Greifswald, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Lemke S, Vilcinskas A. European Medicinal Leeches-New Roles in Modern Medicine. Biomedicines 2020; 8:E99. [PMID: 32349294 PMCID: PMC7277884 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines8050099] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2020] [Revised: 04/18/2020] [Accepted: 04/24/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Before the advent of modern medicine, natural resources were widely used by indigenous populations for the prevention and treatment of diseases. The associated knowledge, collectively described as folk medicine or traditional medicine, was largely based on trial-and-error testing of plant extracts (herbal remedies) and the use of invertebrates, particularly medicinal maggots of the blowfly Lucilia sericata and blood-sucking leeches. The widespread use of traditional medicine in the West declined as scientific advances allowed reproducible testing under controlled conditions and gave rise to the modern fields of biomedical research and pharmacology. However, many drugs are still derived from natural resources, and interest in traditional medicine has been renewed by the ability of researchers to investigate the medical potential of diverse species by high-throughput screening. Likewise, researchers are starting to look again at the benefits of maggot and leech therapy, based on the hypothesis that the use of such animals in traditional medicine is likely to reflect the presence of specific bioactive molecules that can be developed as drug leads. In this review, we consider the modern medical benefits of European medicinal leeches based on the systematic screening of their salivary proteins.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Lemke
- Institute for Insect Biotechnology, Justus-Liebig-University Giessen, Heinrich-Buff-Ring 26-32, D-35392 Giessen, Germany;
| | - Andreas Vilcinskas
- Institute for Insect Biotechnology, Justus-Liebig-University Giessen, Heinrich-Buff-Ring 26-32, D-35392 Giessen, Germany;
- Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology IME, Department of Bioresources, Ohlebergsweg 12, D-35392 Giessen, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
A Comprehensive Review of Medicinal Leeches in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. PLASTIC AND RECONSTRUCTIVE SURGERY-GLOBAL OPEN 2019; 7:e2555. [PMID: 32537302 PMCID: PMC7288891 DOI: 10.1097/gox.0000000000002555] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2019] [Accepted: 10/09/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Medicinal leeches are a US Food and Drug Administration-approved treatment for venous congestion in graft tissue to promote healing and can serve as a nonsurgical option for plastic surgery patients with concern for tissue compromise. Although there is a wealth of documentation on medicinal leech therapy, the surgical space currently lacks an updated summary of proper indications, use, and risks as they pertain to plastic surgical patients. The purpose of this article is to provide a platform for understanding the recent literature as it relates to reconstruction to improve understanding of indications and necessary considerations in using hirudotherapy. Topics examined include basics of hirudotherapy, indications in plastic surgery, implementation (leech application, number and duration of therapy, and removal), risks (infection and bleeding), and alternative treatments. The evidence provided will aid in physician understanding and implementation, patient counseling, and the informed consent process.
Collapse
|
18
|
Kozlov ON, Mitiouchkina TY, Tarasenko IV, Shaloiko LA, Firsov AP, Dolgov SV. Agrobacterium-Mediated Transformation of Lemna minor L. with Hirudin and β-Glucuronidase Genes. APPL BIOCHEM MICRO+ 2019. [DOI: 10.1134/s0003683819080076] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
|
19
|
Müller C, Lukas P, Böhmert M, Hildebrandt J. Hirudin or hirudin‐like factor ‐ that is the question: insights from the analyses of natural and synthetic HLF variants. FEBS Lett 2019; 594:841-850. [DOI: 10.1002/1873-3468.13683] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2019] [Revised: 11/07/2019] [Accepted: 11/12/2019] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Christian Müller
- Animal Physiology and Biochemistry Zoological Institute and Museum University of Greifswald Germany
| | - Phil Lukas
- Animal Physiology and Biochemistry Zoological Institute and Museum University of Greifswald Germany
| | - Michel Böhmert
- Animal Physiology and Biochemistry Zoological Institute and Museum University of Greifswald Germany
| | - Jan‐Peter Hildebrandt
- Animal Physiology and Biochemistry Zoological Institute and Museum University of Greifswald Germany
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Cheng B, Liu F, Guo Q, Lu Y, Shi H, Ding A, Xu C. Identification and characterization of hirudin-HN, a new thrombin inhibitor, from the salivary glands of Hirudo nipponia. PeerJ 2019; 7:e7716. [PMID: 31592161 PMCID: PMC6776071 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.7716] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2019] [Accepted: 08/21/2019] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Transcriptome sequencing data (6.5 Gb) of the salivary glands of the haematophagous leech Hirudo nipponia was obtained by using the BGIseq-500 platform. After identification and analysis, one transcript (Unigene5370) was annotated to hirudin HV3 from Hirudo medicinalis with an e-value of 1e-29 and was named hirudin-HN. This transcript was a new thrombin inhibitor gene belonging to the proteinase inhibitor I14 (hirudin) family. Hirudin-HN, with a 270-bp cDNA, encodes an 89-aa protein containing a 20-aa signal peptide. The mature hirudin-HN protein contains the typical structural characteristics of hirudin, e.g., three conserved disulfide bonds and the PKP and DFxxIP motifs. Proteins (Hir and M-Hir) were obtained via prokaryotic expression, and the mature hirudin-HN protein was shown to have anticoagulant activity and thrombin affinity by using the chromogenic substrate S2238 and surface plasmon resonance (SPR) interaction analysis, respectively. The N-terminal structure of the mature hirudin-HN protein was shown to be important for anticoagulant activity by comparing the activity and thrombin affinity of Hir and M-Hir. The abundances of Hirudin-HN mRNA and protein were higher in the salivary glands of starving animals than in those of feeding or fed leeches. These results provided a foundation for further study on the structure-function relationship of hirudin-HN with thrombin.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Boxing Cheng
- Institute of Chinese Medicinal Materials, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China.,School of Biological Sciences, Guizhou Education University, Gui Yang, China
| | - Fei Liu
- School of Marine and Bioengineering, Yancheng Institute of Technology, Yan Cheng, China
| | - Qiaosheng Guo
- Institute of Chinese Medicinal Materials, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yuxi Lu
- Institute of Chinese Medicinal Materials, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China
| | - Hongzhuan Shi
- Institute of Chinese Medicinal Materials, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China
| | - Andong Ding
- Institute of Chinese Medicinal Materials, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China
| | - Chengfeng Xu
- Institute of Chinese Medicinal Materials, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Li T, Ma J, Xu Z, Wang S, Wang N, Shao S, Yang W, Huang L, Liu Y. Transcriptomic Analysis of the Influence of Methanol Assimilation on the Gene Expression in the Recombinant Pichia pastoris Producing Hirudin Variant 3. Genes (Basel) 2019; 10:genes10080606. [PMID: 31409011 PMCID: PMC6722669 DOI: 10.3390/genes10080606] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2019] [Accepted: 08/07/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Hirudin and its variants, as strong inhibitors against thrombin, are present in the saliva of leeches and are recognized as potent anticoagulants. However, their yield is far from the clinical requirement up to now. In this study, the production of hirudin variant 3 (HV3) was successfully realized by cultivating the recombinant Pichia pastoris GS115/pPIC9K-hv3 under the regulation of the promoter of AOX1 encoding alcohol oxidase (AOX). The antithrombin activity in the fermentation broth reached the maximum value of 5000 ATU/mL. To explore an effective strategy for improving HV3 production in the future, we investigated the influence of methanol assimilation on the general gene expression in this recombinant by transcriptomic study. The results showed that methanol was partially oxidized into CO2, and the rest was converted into glycerone-P which subsequently entered into central carbon metabolism, energy metabolism, and amino acid biosynthesis. However, the later metabolic processes were almost all down-regulated. Therefore, we propose that the up-regulated central carbon metabolism, energy, and amino acid metabolism should be beneficial for methanol assimilation, which would accordingly improve the production of HV3.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tao Li
- Key Laboratory of Industrial Fermentation Microbiology, Ministry of Education, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Industrial Microbiology, The College of Biotechnology, Tianjin University of Science and Technology, Tianjin 300457, China
- College of Basic Science, Tianjin Agricultural University, Tianjin 300384, China
| | - Jieying Ma
- Key Laboratory of Industrial Fermentation Microbiology, Ministry of Education, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Industrial Microbiology, The College of Biotechnology, Tianjin University of Science and Technology, Tianjin 300457, China
| | - Zehua Xu
- Key Laboratory of Industrial Fermentation Microbiology, Ministry of Education, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Industrial Microbiology, The College of Biotechnology, Tianjin University of Science and Technology, Tianjin 300457, China
| | - Shuang Wang
- Key Laboratory of Industrial Fermentation Microbiology, Ministry of Education, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Industrial Microbiology, The College of Biotechnology, Tianjin University of Science and Technology, Tianjin 300457, China
| | - Nan Wang
- Key Laboratory of Industrial Fermentation Microbiology, Ministry of Education, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Industrial Microbiology, The College of Biotechnology, Tianjin University of Science and Technology, Tianjin 300457, China
| | - Shulin Shao
- Key Laboratory of Industrial Fermentation Microbiology, Ministry of Education, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Industrial Microbiology, The College of Biotechnology, Tianjin University of Science and Technology, Tianjin 300457, China
| | - Wei Yang
- College of Basic Science, Tianjin Agricultural University, Tianjin 300384, China
| | - Lin Huang
- Key Laboratory of Industrial Fermentation Microbiology, Ministry of Education, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Industrial Microbiology, The College of Biotechnology, Tianjin University of Science and Technology, Tianjin 300457, China
| | - Yihan Liu
- Key Laboratory of Industrial Fermentation Microbiology, Ministry of Education, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Industrial Microbiology, The College of Biotechnology, Tianjin University of Science and Technology, Tianjin 300457, China.
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
The salivary transcriptome of Limnobdella mexicana (Annelida: Clitellata: Praobdellidae) and orthology determination of major leech anticoagulants. Parasitology 2019; 146:1338-1346. [PMID: 31148528 DOI: 10.1017/s0031182019000593] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
Bloodfeeding requires several adaptations that allow the parasite to feed efficiently. Leeches and other hematophagous animals have developed different mechanisms to inhibit hemostasis, one of the main barriers imposed by their hosts. Limnobdella mexicana is a member of the leech family Praobdellidae, a family of host generalists known for their preference to attach on mucosal membranes of mammals, such as those in nasopharyngeal cavities, bladders and ocular orbits. Previous studies have hypothesized a positive relationship between diversity of anticoagulants and diversity of hosts in bloodfeeding leeches. However, orthology determination of putative anticoagulants and the lack of standardization of sequencing effort and method hinder comparisons between publicly available transcriptomes generated in different laboratories. In the present study, we examine the first transcriptome of a praobdellid leech and identify 15 putative anticoagulants using a phylogeny-based inference approach, amino-acid conservation, Pfam domains and BLAST searches. Our phylogenetic analyses suggest that the ancestral leech was able to inhibit factor Xa and that some hirudins that have been reported in previous studies on leech anticoagulants may not be orthologous with the archetypal hirudin.
Collapse
|
23
|
Hirudins of the Asian medicinal leech, Hirudinaria manillensis: same same, but different. Parasitol Res 2019; 118:2223-2233. [DOI: 10.1007/s00436-019-06365-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2019] [Accepted: 05/24/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
|
24
|
Müller C, Lukas P, Lemke S, Hildebrandt JP. Hirudin and Decorsins of the North American Medicinal Leech Macrobdella decora: Gene Structure Reveals Homology to Hirudins and Hirudin-Like Factors of Eurasian Medicinal Leeches. J Parasitol 2019. [DOI: 10.1645/18-117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Christian Müller
- Animal Physiology and Biochemistry, Zoological Institute and Museum, University of Greifswald, 17489 Greifswald, Germany
| | - Phil Lukas
- Animal Physiology and Biochemistry, Zoological Institute and Museum, University of Greifswald, 17489 Greifswald, Germany
| | - Sarah Lemke
- Animal Physiology and Biochemistry, Zoological Institute and Museum, University of Greifswald, 17489 Greifswald, Germany
| | - Jan-Peter Hildebrandt
- Animal Physiology and Biochemistry, Zoological Institute and Museum, University of Greifswald, 17489 Greifswald, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
25
|
Zhang J, Lan N. Hirudin variants production by genetic engineered microbial factory. Biotechnol Genet Eng Rev 2018; 34:261-280. [PMID: 30095033 DOI: 10.1080/02648725.2018.1506898] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Hirudin was discovered as an active anticoagulant in leech extracts almost 60 years ago. Since their initial discovery, hirudin and its variants have been produced with various anti-thrombotic, cancer cell inhibition, diabetic cataract treatment and anti-fatigue activities. Some hirudin variants have been approved for clinical use and released into the marketplace. Recent progress has seen made in relation to hirudin variants expressed in several well-established microbial hosts, including Escherichia coli, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Pichia pastoris and others, with high levels of activity and yield. This review summarizes the current progress on hirudin production using microbial producers, and considers the outlook for future development.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jianguo Zhang
- a Institute of Food Science and Engineering, School of Medical Instrument and Food Engineering , University of Shanghai for Science and Technology , Shanghai , China
| | - Nana Lan
- a Institute of Food Science and Engineering, School of Medical Instrument and Food Engineering , University of Shanghai for Science and Technology , Shanghai , China
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
Dong X, Gu R, Zhu X, Gan H, Liu J, Jin J, Meng Z, Dou G. Evaluating prodrug characteristics of a novel anticoagulant fusion protein neorudin, a prodrug targeting release of hirudin variant 2-Lys47 at the thrombosis site, by means of in vitro pharmacokinetics. Eur J Pharm Sci 2018; 121:166-177. [PMID: 29802897 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejps.2018.05.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/01/2018] [Revised: 05/18/2018] [Accepted: 05/23/2018] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Recombinant neorudin (EPR-hirudin, EH), a low-bleeding anticoagulant fusion protein, is an inactive prodrug designed to be converted to the active metabolite, hirudin variant 2-Lys47 (HV2), locally at the thrombus site by FXa and/or FXIa, following activation of the coagulation system. Our aim was to evaluate the prodrug characteristics of EH by comparing the biotransformation of EH and HV2 in biological matrices, including rat blood, liver, and kidney homogenates, demonstrating the cleavage of EH to HV2 by FXa and FXIa, and comparing the conversion of EH to HV2 between fresh whole blood and whole-blood clot homogenate, using ultra-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS). Both EH and HV2 were stable in blood and unstable in the liver and kidney homogenates. Eight EH metabolites and eight HV2 metabolites identified as N-terminal fragments were found in the liver and kidney. C-terminal proteolysis is therefore the major metabolic pathway, with serine/cysteine carboxypeptidases and metallocarboxypeptidases being responsible for the degradation of EH and HV2 in the liver and kidney, respectively. EH was cleaved to release HV2 by FXIa. Higher levels of HV2 were produced from EH in the whole-blood clot homogenate, in which the coagulation system was activated compared with those in fresh whole blood. In conclusion, the metabolism of EH and HV2 shares the same cleavage pattern, and EH is transformed into HV2 when the coagulation system is activated, where FXIa is a specific enzyme. Our in vitro study revealed the anticipated prodrug characteristics of EH newly designed as an inactive prodrug of hirudin.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xiaona Dong
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Metabolism and Pharmacokinetics, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Beijing Institute of Radiation Medicine, China
| | - Ruolan Gu
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Metabolism and Pharmacokinetics, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Beijing Institute of Radiation Medicine, China
| | - Xiaoxia Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Metabolism and Pharmacokinetics, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Beijing Institute of Radiation Medicine, China
| | - Hui Gan
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Metabolism and Pharmacokinetics, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Beijing Institute of Radiation Medicine, China
| | | | - Jide Jin
- Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, Beijing Institute of Radiation Medicine, China
| | - Zhiyun Meng
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Metabolism and Pharmacokinetics, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Beijing Institute of Radiation Medicine, China.
| | - Guifang Dou
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Metabolism and Pharmacokinetics, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Beijing Institute of Radiation Medicine, China.
| |
Collapse
|
27
|
Tessler M, Marancik D, Champagne D, Dove A, Camus A, Siddall ME, Kvist S. Marine Leech Anticoagulant Diversity and Evolution. J Parasitol 2018; 104:210-220. [PMID: 29505345 DOI: 10.1645/17-64] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Leeches (Annelida: Hirudinea) possess powerful salivary anticoagulants and, accordingly, are frequently employed in modern, authoritative medicine. Members of the almost exclusively marine family Piscicolidae account for 20% of leech species diversity, and they feed on host groups (e.g., sharks) not encountered by their freshwater and terrestrial counterparts. Moreover, some species of Ozobranchidae feed on endangered marine turtles and have been implicated as potential vectors for the tumor-associated turtle herpesvirus. In spite of their ecological importance and unique host associations, there is a distinct paucity of data regarding the salivary transcriptomes of either of these families. Using next-generation sequencing, we profiled transcribed, putative anticoagulants and other salivary bioactive compounds that have previously been linked to blood feeding from 7 piscicolid species (3 elasmobranch feeders; 4 non-cartilaginous fish feeders) and 1 ozobranchid species (2 samples). In total, 149 putative anticoagulants and bioactive loci were discovered in varying constellations throughout the different samples. The putative anticoagulants showed a broad spectrum of described antagonistic pathways, such as inhibition of factor Xa and platelet aggregation, which likely have similar bioactive roles in marine fish and turtles. A transcript with homology to ohanin, originally isolated from king cobras, was found in Cystobranchus vividus but is otherwise unknown from leeches. Estimation of selection pressures for the putative anticoagulants recovered evidence for both positive and purifying selection along several isolated branches in the gene trees, and positive selection was also estimated for a few select codons in a variety of marine species. Similarly, phylogenetic analyses of the amino acid sequences for several anticoagulants indicated divergent evolution.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Michael Tessler
- 1 Richard Gilder Graduate School, American Museum of Natural History, Central Park West at 79th Street, New York, New York 10024.,2 Sackler Institute for Comparative Genomics, American Museum of Natural History, Central Park West at 79th Street, New York, New York 10024.,3 Division of Invertebrate Zoology, American Museum of Natural History, Central Park West at 79th Street, New York, New York 10024
| | - David Marancik
- 4 Department of Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, 501 D. W. Brooks Drive, Athens, Georgia 30602
| | - Donald Champagne
- 5 Department of Entomology, University of Georgia, 413 Biological Sciences Building, Athens, Georgia 30602
| | - Alistair Dove
- 6 Georgia Aquarium, 225 Baker Street, Atlanta, Georgia 30313
| | - Alvin Camus
- 4 Department of Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, 501 D. W. Brooks Drive, Athens, Georgia 30602
| | - Mark E Siddall
- 2 Sackler Institute for Comparative Genomics, American Museum of Natural History, Central Park West at 79th Street, New York, New York 10024.,3 Division of Invertebrate Zoology, American Museum of Natural History, Central Park West at 79th Street, New York, New York 10024
| | - Sebastian Kvist
- 7 Royal Ontario Museum, 100 Queen's Park, Toronto, Ontario, M5S 2C6, Canada.,8 Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Toronto, 25 Willcocks Street, Toronto, Ontario, M5S 3B2, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
28
|
Liu Z, Wang Y, Tong X, Su Y, Yang L, Wang D, Zhao Y. De novo assembly and comparative transcriptome characterization of Poecilobdella javanica provide insight into blood feeding of medicinal leeches. Mol Omics 2018; 14:352-361. [DOI: 10.1039/c8mo00098k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Leeches (family Hirudinidae) are classic model invertebrates used in diverse clinical treatments, such as reconstructive microsurgery, hypertension, and gangrene treatment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zichao Liu
- Department of Life Science & Technology, Kunming University, Kunming Key Laboratory of Hydroecology Restoration of Dianchi Lake, Key Laboratory of Special Biological Resource Development & Utilization of Universities in Yunnan Province
- Kunming
- China
| | - Yanjie Wang
- Jules Stein Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, University of California
- Los Angeles
- USA
| | - Xiangrong Tong
- Department of Life Science & Technology, Kunming University, Kunming Key Laboratory of Hydroecology Restoration of Dianchi Lake, Key Laboratory of Special Biological Resource Development & Utilization of Universities in Yunnan Province
- Kunming
- China
| | - Yuan Su
- Department of Life Science & Technology, Kunming University, Kunming Key Laboratory of Hydroecology Restoration of Dianchi Lake, Key Laboratory of Special Biological Resource Development & Utilization of Universities in Yunnan Province
- Kunming
- China
| | - Lijiang Yang
- Department of Life Science & Technology, Kunming University, Kunming Key Laboratory of Hydroecology Restoration of Dianchi Lake, Key Laboratory of Special Biological Resource Development & Utilization of Universities in Yunnan Province
- Kunming
- China
| | - Debin Wang
- Department of Life Science & Technology, Kunming University, Kunming Key Laboratory of Hydroecology Restoration of Dianchi Lake, Key Laboratory of Special Biological Resource Development & Utilization of Universities in Yunnan Province
- Kunming
- China
| | - Yuqi Zhao
- Department of Integrative Biology and Physiology, University of California, Los Angeles
- Los Angeles
- USA
| |
Collapse
|
29
|
Lemke S, Müller C, Hildebrandt JP. Be ready at any time: postprandial synthesis of salivary proteins in salivary gland cells of the haematophagous leech Hirudo verbana. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2017; 219:1139-45. [PMID: 27103675 DOI: 10.1242/jeb.135509] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2015] [Accepted: 02/03/2016] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Sanguivorous leeches are ectoparasites having access to body fluids of potential hosts only infrequently. During feeding, salivary proteins are released from unicellular salivary glands into the wound. These substances, among them anti-coagulants, anti-inflammatory or anti-microbial agents, allow these animals proper feeding and long-term storage of host blood in their crops for several months. Using histological, protein biochemical and molecular techniques, we investigated whether synthesis of salivary proteins and refilling of salivary gland cells occur immediately after feeding or later when stored nutrients in the crop are getting scarce. The results of the histological analyses showed that gland cell area was significantly smaller right after feeding when compared with those in unfed animals. This parameter recovered quickly and reached the control level at 1 week after feeding. 2D gel electrophoresis and analysis of the abundance of individual proteins in extracts of leech tissues revealed that a subset of proteins that had been present in extracts of unfed animals virtually disappeared during feeding, but re-appeared within 1 week of feeding (most probably secretory proteins) while another subset did not change during the experimental period (most probably housekeeping proteins). Semi-quantitative PCR analysis of hirudin cDNA prepared from leech RNA samples revealed that the amount of hirudin transcripts increased immediately after feeding, peaked at 5 days after feeding and declined to control values thereafter. Our results indicate that bloodsucking leeches synthesize salivary proteins and refill their salivary gland cell reservoirs within a week of a blood meal to be prepared for another feeding opportunity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Lemke
- Animal Physiology and Biochemistry, Zoological Institute and Museum, Ernst Moritz Arndt University, Felix-Hausdorff-Strasse 1, Greifswald D-17487, Germany
| | - Christian Müller
- Animal Physiology and Biochemistry, Zoological Institute and Museum, Ernst Moritz Arndt University, Felix-Hausdorff-Strasse 1, Greifswald D-17487, Germany
| | - Jan-Peter Hildebrandt
- Animal Physiology and Biochemistry, Zoological Institute and Museum, Ernst Moritz Arndt University, Felix-Hausdorff-Strasse 1, Greifswald D-17487, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
30
|
|
31
|
Hirudins and hirudin-like factors in Hirudinidae: implications for function and phylogenetic relationships. Parasitol Res 2016; 116:313-325. [PMID: 27785600 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-016-5294-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2016] [Accepted: 10/12/2016] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
Haematophagous leeches express a broad variety of bioactive factors that are released from the salivary gland cells into the wound of a host during feeding. Among these, hirudin is probably the best studied factor and, moreover, the only one that has successfully made the transition from nature to clinical use. Many components of the leech saliva still remain either poorly characterized or yet completely unknown. Only recently, a new class of leech-derived factors has been discovered in Hirudo medicinalis, the hirudin-like factors (HLFs). HLFs comprise typical structural features of hirudin but lack others. We were able to verify the expression of HLFs not only in two additional species of the genus Hirudo, but also in Hirudinaria manillensis. Various phylogenetic analyses based on gene and protein sequences support a sister group relationship between hirudins and HLFs. Although potential molecular targets of HLFs remain unknown, the presence of multiple isoforms in individual leeches of different genera points to key functions in the regulation of several processes associated with the blood-sucking life style of leeches.
Collapse
|
32
|
Kvist S, Oceguera-Figueroa A, Tessler M, Jiménez-Armenta J, Freeman RM, Giribet G, Siddall ME. When predator becomes prey: investigating the salivary transcriptome of the shark-feeding leechPontobdella macrothela(Hirudinea: Piscicolidae). Zool J Linn Soc 2016. [DOI: 10.1111/zoj.12473] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Sebastian Kvist
- Department of Natural History; Royal Ontario Museum; 100 Queen's Park Toronto ON M5S 2C6 Canada
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology; University of Toronto; 25 Willcocks Street Toronto ON M5S 3B2 Canada
| | - Alejandro Oceguera-Figueroa
- Laboratorio de Helmintología; Departamento de Zoología; Instituto de Biología; Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México; Coyoacán Mexico City 04510 Mexico
| | - Michael Tessler
- Richard Gilder Graduate School; American Museum of Natural History; Central Park West at 79th Street New York NY 10024 USA
- Sackler Institute for Comparative Genomics; American Museum of Natural History; Central Park West at 79th Street New York NY 10024 USA
| | - Jossué Jiménez-Armenta
- Laboratorio de Helmintología; Departamento de Zoología; Instituto de Biología; Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México; Coyoacán Mexico City 04510 Mexico
| | | | - Gonzalo Giribet
- Museum of Comparative Zoology & Department of Organismic and Evolutionary Biology; Harvard University; Cambridge MA 02138 USA
| | - Mark E. Siddall
- Sackler Institute for Comparative Genomics; American Museum of Natural History; Central Park West at 79th Street New York NY 10024 USA
| |
Collapse
|