title: Hirudins and hirudin-like factors in Hirudinidae: implications for function and phylogenetic relationships.
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.
authors: Animal Physiology and Biochemistry, Zoological Institute and Museum, Ernst Moritz Arndt-University, Greifswald, Germany. christian.mueller@uni-greifswald.de.
authors: Christian
authors: http://orcid.org/0000-0003-1929-1728
authors: C
authors: Müller
authors: Vogelwarte, Zoological Institute and Museum, Ernst Moritz Arndt-University, Greifswald, Germany.
authors: Martin
authors: M
authors: Haase
authors: Animal Physiology and Biochemistry, Zoological Institute and Museum, Ernst Moritz Arndt-University, Greifswald, Germany.
authors: Sarah
authors: S
authors: Lemke
authors: Animal Physiology and Biochemistry, Zoological Institute and Museum, Ernst Moritz Arndt-University, Greifswald, Germany.
authors: Jan-Peter
authors: JP
authors: Hildebrandt
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation / Q000502:physiology; D006629:Hirudins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D007865:Leeches / Q000378:metabolism*; D010802:Phylogeny; D012463:Saliva / Q000737:chemistry
chemical_list: D006629:Hirudins
keywords: Hirudin; Hirudin-like factors; Hirudinidae; Phylogeny; Serine protease inhibitors