Comparative genomics of two Asian medicinal leeches Hirudo nipponia and Hirudo tianjinensis
Leeches are obligate blood-feeding annelids distributed around the globe from tropical to subarctic regions. Some leech species secrete various biologically active substances, such as anticoagulants and thrombolytics, and have important medical and pharmaceutical value in antithrombotic treatments. In this study, we provide a high quality genome of two Asian medicinal leeches Hirudo nipponia and Hirudo tianjinensis. Combined with automated and manual prediction methods, we performed a systematic identification and analyzing on potential antithrombotic genes and their corresponding proteins. Our study provides the most comprehensive collection of antithrombotic biomacromolecules from the two Asian medicinal leeches to date. Our results will greatly facilitate the research and application of leech derivatives for medical and pharmaceutical purposes of thrombosis.