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Zhao F, Huang Z, He B, Liu K, Li J, Liu Z, Lin G. Comparative genomics of two Asian medicinal leeches Hirudo nipponia and Hirudo tianjinensis: With emphasis on antithrombotic genes and their corresponding proteins. Int J Biol Macromol 2024; 270:132278. [PMID: 38750856 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2024.132278] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2023] [Revised: 05/07/2024] [Accepted: 05/08/2024] [Indexed: 05/18/2024]
Abstract
Leeches secrete various biologically active substances which have important medical and pharmaceutical values in antithrombotic treatments. Here, we provide a high quality genome of two Asian medicinal leeches Hirudo nipponia and Hirudo tianjinensis, based on which, we identified 22 antithrombotic gene families, including fourteen coagulation inhibitors, four platelet aggregation inhibitors, three fibrinolysis enhancers, and one tissue penetration enhancer. The total numbers of antithrombotic genes were similar between H. nipponia (N = 86) and H. tianjinensis (N = 83). Molecular evolution analysis showed that no significant differences were detected between the two species in any of the three selection indices (dN, dS, and dN/dS), nor in the number of sites under positive/purifying selection. RNA-Seq based gene expression analysis showed that the overall expression patterns of the antithrombotic gene families were not significantly deviated between the two species. Our results indicated that there were rather close similarities between the two leeches on genomic characteristics, especially for the molecular evolution and expression of antithrombotic genes. Our study provides the most comprehensive collection of antithrombotic biomacromolecules from the two Asian medicinal leeches to date. These results will greatly facilitate the research and application of leech derivatives for medical and pharmaceutical purposes of thrombosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fang Zhao
- School of Life Sciences, Jinggangshan University, Ji'an 343009, China
| | - Zuhao Huang
- School of Life Sciences, Jinggangshan University, Ji'an 343009, China
| | - Bo He
- School of Life Sciences, Jinggangshan University, Ji'an 343009, China
| | - Kaiqing Liu
- Engineering Research Center for Exploitation and Utilization of Leech Resources in Universities of Yunnan Province, School of Agronomy and Life Sciences, Kunming University, Kunming 650214, China
| | - Junyu Li
- Department of Ultrasonography, People's Hospital of Fengdu County, Chongqing City, Fengdu 408200, China
| | - Zichao Liu
- Engineering Research Center for Exploitation and Utilization of Leech Resources in Universities of Yunnan Province, School of Agronomy and Life Sciences, Kunming University, Kunming 650214, China; Yunnan Key Laboratory of Biodiversity Information, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming 650223, China.
| | - Gonghua Lin
- School of Life Sciences, Jinggangshan University, Ji'an 343009, China.
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Liu Z, Zhao F, Huang Z, He B, Liu K, Shi F, Zhao Z, Lin G. A Chromosome-Level Genome Assembly of the Non-Hematophagous Leech Whitmania pigra (Whitman 1884): Identification and Expression Analysis of Antithrombotic Genes. Genes (Basel) 2024; 15:164. [PMID: 38397154 PMCID: PMC10887747 DOI: 10.3390/genes15020164] [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: 12/26/2023] [Revised: 01/19/2024] [Accepted: 01/24/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Despite being a non-hematophagous leech, Whitmania pigra is widely used in traditional Chinese medicine for the treatment of antithrombotic diseases. In this study, we provide a high quality genome of W. pigra and based on which, we performed a systematic identification of the potential antithrombotic genes and their corresponding proteins. We identified twenty antithrombotic gene families including thirteen coagulation inhibitors, three platelet aggregation inhibitors, three fibrinolysis enhancers, and one tissue penetration enhancer. Unexpectedly, a total of 79 antithrombotic genes were identified, more than a typical blood-feeding Hirudinaria manillensis, which had only 72 antithrombotic genes. In addition, combining with the RNA-seq data of W. pigra and H. manillensis, we calculated the expression levels of antithrombotic genes of the two species. Five and four gene families had significantly higher and lower expression levels in W. pigra than in H. manillensis, respectively. These results showed that the number and expression level of antithrombotic genes of a non-hematophagous leech are not always less than those of a hematophagous leech. Our study provides the most comprehensive collection of antithrombotic biomacromolecules from a non-hematophagous leech to date and will significantly enhance the investigation and utilization of leech derivatives in thrombosis therapy research and pharmaceutical applications.
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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.); (K.L.); (F.S.)
| | - Fang Zhao
- School of Life Sciences, Jinggangshan University, Ji’an 343009, China; (F.Z.); (Z.H.); (B.H.)
| | - Zuhao Huang
- School of Life Sciences, Jinggangshan University, Ji’an 343009, China; (F.Z.); (Z.H.); (B.H.)
| | - Bo He
- School of Life Sciences, Jinggangshan University, Ji’an 343009, China; (F.Z.); (Z.H.); (B.H.)
| | - Kaiqing 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.); (K.L.); (F.S.)
| | - Feng Shi
- 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.); (K.L.); (F.S.)
| | - Zheng Zhao
- Key Laboratory of River and Lake Ecological Health Assessment and Restoration in Yunnan Province, Kunming Dianchi Lake Environmental Protection Collaborative Research Center, Kunming University, Kunming 650214, China;
| | - Gonghua Lin
- School of Life Sciences, Jinggangshan University, Ji’an 343009, China; (F.Z.); (Z.H.); (B.H.)
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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.
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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.)
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Cloning and functional identification of pmKPI cDNA in Poecilobdella manillensis. Mol Biol Rep 2023; 50:299-308. [PMID: 36331747 DOI: 10.1007/s11033-022-07944-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2022] [Accepted: 09/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Kazal-type serine protease inhibitors play a role in physiological processes such as blood coagulation and fibrinolysis. The amino acid residues at the P1 site are different, and they inhibit different types of proteases. The inhibitory mechanism of the protease in the salivary glands of Poecilobdella manillensis is still unclear. METHODS AND RESULTS Based on cloning, prokaryotic expression and bioinformatics analysis, we studied the role of Kazal-type serine protease inhibitors in P. manillensis and analyzed their expression by quantitative real-time PCR. The results suggested that the recombinant protein was successfully expressed in the supernatant when a prokaryotic expression vector was constructed and induced with 0.2 mmol/L IPTG at 37 °C for 4 h, and the enzymatic activity was determined. The mature protein encodes 91 amino acids and has a relative molecular weight of 9929.32 Da, and after removing the signal peptide, the theoretical isoelectric point was 8.79. It is an unstable protein without a transmembrane domain. The mature protein contains two Kazal-type domains, in which all P1 residues are Lys, consisting of an α helix and three antiparallel β sheets. The upregulated expression of the mRNA was induced after a meal was provided, and the results showed an increasing and then decreasing trend. CONCLUSIONS Taken together, the results indicate that mature proteins from P. manillensis inhibit thrombin activity, laying the foundation for the subsequent in-depth study of the function of genes encoding Kazal-type serine protease inhibitors.
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Zheng J, Wang X, Feng T, Rehman SU, Yan X, Shan H, Ma X, Zhou W, Xu W, Lu L, Liu J, Luo X, Cui K, Qin C, Chen W, Yu J, Li Z, Ruan J, Liu Q. Molecular mechanisms underlying hematophagia revealed by comparative analyses of leech genomes. Gigascience 2022; 12:giad023. [PMID: 37039117 PMCID: PMC10087013 DOI: 10.1093/gigascience/giad023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2022] [Revised: 12/14/2022] [Accepted: 03/22/2023] [Indexed: 04/12/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Leeches have been used in traditional Chinese medicine since prehistoric times to treat a spectrum of ailments, but very little is known about their physiological, genetic, and evolutionary characteristics. FINDINGS We sequenced and assembled chromosome-level genomes of 3 leech species (bloodsucking Hirudo nipponia and Hirudinaria manillensis and nonbloodsucking Whitmania pigra). The dynamic population histories and genome-wide expression patterns of the 2 bloodsucking leech species were found to be similar. A combined analysis of the genomic and transcriptional data revealed that the bloodsucking leeches have a presumably enhanced auditory sense for prey location in relatively deep fresh water. The copy number of genes related to anticoagulation, analgesia, and anti-inflammation increased in the bloodsucking leeches, and their gene expressions responded dynamically to the bloodsucking process. Furthermore, the expanded FBN1 gene family may help in rapid body swelling of leeches after bloodsucking, and the expanded GLB3 gene family may be associated with long-term storage of prey blood in a leech's body. CONCLUSIONS The high-quality reference genomes and comprehensive datasets obtained in this study may facilitate innovations in the artificial culture and strain optimization of leeches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinghui Zheng
- Department of Cardiology, Ruikang Hospital Affiliated to Guangxi University of Chinese Medicine, Nanning 530011, China
| | - Xiaobo Wang
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-bioresources, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, China
- Genome Analysis Laboratory of the Ministry of Agriculture, Agricultural Genomics Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518120, China
| | - Tong Feng
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-bioresources, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, China
- Genome Analysis Laboratory of the Ministry of Agriculture, Agricultural Genomics Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518120, China
| | - Saif Ur Rehman
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-bioresources, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, China
| | - Xiuying Yan
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-bioresources, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, China
| | - Huiquan Shan
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-bioresources, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, China
| | - Xiaocong Ma
- Department of Cardiology, Ruikang Hospital Affiliated to Guangxi University of Chinese Medicine, Nanning 530011, China
| | - Weiguan Zhou
- Biological Institute of Guangxi Academy of Sciences, Nanning 530007, China
| | - Wenhua Xu
- Department of Cardiology, Ruikang Hospital Affiliated to Guangxi University of Chinese Medicine, Nanning 530011, China
| | - Liying Lu
- Department of Cardiology, Ruikang Hospital Affiliated to Guangxi University of Chinese Medicine, Nanning 530011, China
| | - Jiasheng Liu
- Department of Cardiology, Ruikang Hospital Affiliated to Guangxi University of Chinese Medicine, Nanning 530011, China
| | - Xier Luo
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-bioresources, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, China
- Genome Analysis Laboratory of the Ministry of Agriculture, Agricultural Genomics Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518120, China
| | - Kuiqing Cui
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-bioresources, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, China
| | - Chaobin Qin
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-bioresources, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, China
| | - Weihua Chen
- Department of Bioinformatics and Systems Biology, College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430074, China
| | - Jun Yu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Genome Sciences and Information, Beijing Institute of Genomics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Zhipeng Li
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-bioresources, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, China
| | - Jue Ruan
- Genome Analysis Laboratory of the Ministry of Agriculture, Agricultural Genomics Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518120, China
| | - Qingyou Liu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Molecular Design and Precise Breeding, School of Life Science and Engineering, Foshan University, Foshan 528225, China
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Cheng BX, Shao GY, Li Y, Tian QQ, Wang SY, Liu F. Molecular cloning and characterisation of the PmEglin cDNA in the leech Hirudinaria sp. Biologia (Bratisl) 2022. [DOI: 10.1007/s11756-022-01277-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/03/2022]
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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.
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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.
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Shan H, Ren K, Liu J, Rehman SU, Yan X, Ma X, Zheng Y, Feng T, Wang X, Li Z, Zhou W, Chuang C, Liang M, Zheng J, Liu Q. Comprehensive Transcriptome Sequencing Analysis of Hirudinaria manillensis in Different Growth Periods. Front Physiol 2022; 13:897458. [PMID: 35694407 PMCID: PMC9174698 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2022.897458] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2022] [Accepted: 04/22/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Medical leeches are widely been used in biochemical and clinical medical studies, helping to restore blood circulation to grafted or severely injured tissue. Mostly, adult leeches are being used in the traditional pharmacopeia, but the gene expression profiling of leeches in different growth periods is not well-reported. So, in this study, we used transcriptome analysis to analyze the comparative gene expression patterns of Hirudinaria manillensis (H. manillensis) in different growth periods, including larval, young, and adult stages. We constructed 24 cDNA libraries from H. manillensis larval, young, and adult stages, and about 54,639,118 sequences were generated, 18,106 mRNA transcripts of which 958 novel mRNAs and 491 lncRNAs were also assembled as well. Furthermore, the results of Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analyses revealed that the differentially upregulated genes from the larval to adult stages were enriched in pathways such as cilium, myofibril, contractile fiber, cytoskeleton proteins, dilated cardiomyopathy, adrenergic signaling in cardiomyocytes, etc. Moreover, in the adult stages, a significant increase in the expression of the Hirudin-HM (HIRM2) genes was detected. In addition, our comparative transcriptome profiling data from different growth stages of H. manillensis also identified a large number of DEGs and DElncRNAs which were tentatively found to be associated with the growth of H. manillensis; as it grew, the muscle-related gene expression increased, while the lipid metabolism and need for stimulation and nutrition-related genes decreased. Similarly, the higher expression of HIRM2 might attribute to the high expression of protein disulfide isomerase gene family (PDI) family genes in adulthood, which provides an important clue that why adult leeches rather than young leeches are widely used in clinical therapeutics and traditional Chinese medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huiquan Shan
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Molecular Design and Precise Breeding, School of Life Science and Engineering, Foshan University, Foshan, China
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro- Bioresources, Guangxi University, Nanning, China
| | - Ke Ren
- Department of Cardiology, Ruikang Hospital Affiliated to Guangxi University of Chinese Medicine, Nanning, China
| | - Jiasheng Liu
- Department of Cardiology, Ruikang Hospital Affiliated to Guangxi University of Chinese Medicine, Nanning, China
| | - Saif ur Rehman
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro- Bioresources, Guangxi University, Nanning, China
| | - Xiuying Yan
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro- Bioresources, Guangxi University, Nanning, China
| | - Xiaocong Ma
- Department of Cardiology, Ruikang Hospital Affiliated to Guangxi University of Chinese Medicine, Nanning, China
| | - Yalin Zheng
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro- Bioresources, Guangxi University, Nanning, China
| | - Tong Feng
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro- Bioresources, Guangxi University, Nanning, China
| | - Xiaobo Wang
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro- Bioresources, Guangxi University, Nanning, China
| | - Zhipeng Li
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro- Bioresources, Guangxi University, Nanning, China
| | - Weiguan Zhou
- THAI Natural Hirudin Co., Ltd., Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Chen Chuang
- Guangxi Medical University Cancer Hospital, Nanning, China
| | - Mingkun Liang
- Department of Cardiology, Ruikang Hospital Affiliated to Guangxi University of Chinese Medicine, Nanning, China
| | - Jinghui Zheng
- Department of Cardiology, Ruikang Hospital Affiliated to Guangxi University of Chinese Medicine, Nanning, China
- *Correspondence: Jinghui Zheng, ; Qingyou Liu,
| | - Qingyou Liu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Molecular Design and Precise Breeding, School of Life Science and Engineering, Foshan University, Foshan, China
- *Correspondence: Jinghui Zheng, ; Qingyou Liu,
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Huang Q, Tang J, Chai X, Ren W, Wang J, Gan Q, Shi J, Wang M, Yang S, Liu J, Ma L. Affinity ultrafiltration and UPLC-HR-Orbitrap-MS based screening of thrombin-targeted small molecules with anticoagulation activity from Poecilobdella manillensis. J Chromatogr B Analyt Technol Biomed Life Sci 2021; 1178:122822. [PMID: 34147951 DOI: 10.1016/j.jchromb.2021.122822] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2020] [Revised: 05/06/2021] [Accepted: 05/31/2021] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
This study aims to screen potential anticoagulant components from leeches, a representative animal-sourced traditional Chinese medicine using thrombin (THR)-targeted ultrafiltration combined with ultrahigh performance liquid chromatography and high-resolution Orbitrap mass spectrometry (UPLC-HR-Orbitrap-MS). As a result, five small molecules in leech extract were discovered to interact with THR for the first time. Among them, two new compounds were isolated and their structures were identified by IR, HR-MS and NMR data. Furthermore, their THR inhibitory activity was confirmed with IC50 values of 4.74 and 8.31 μM, respectively. In addition, molecular docking analysis showed that the active (catalytic) site of THR might be the possible binding site of the two hits. Finally, reverse screening analysis indicated that LTA4-H, ACE and ALOX5AP were potential anticoagulant targets of the two new compounds. This study will broaden our understanding of the medicinal substance basis in leeches and further contribute to the discovery and development of clinical anticoagulant drugs from leeches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiuyang Huang
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, China
| | - Jianyuan Tang
- Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu 610072, 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
| | - JiaBo Wang
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, China
| | - Qichao Gan
- Chongqing Duoputai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd, Chongqing 400800, China
| | - Jingyan Shi
- Chongqing Duoputai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd, Chongqing 400800, China
| | - Manyuan Wang
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, China
| | - Sijin Yang
- Affiliated Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou 646000, China
| | - Jingfang Liu
- Public Technology Service Center, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Li Ma
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, China.
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10
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Jin F, Zhou Z, Guo Q, Liang Z, Yang R, Jiang J, He Y, Zhao Q, Zhao Q. High-quality genome assembly of Metaphire vulgaris. PeerJ 2020; 8:e10313. [PMID: 33240640 PMCID: PMC7666815 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.10313] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2020] [Accepted: 10/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Earthworms enrich the soil and protect the health of their ecological environment. Previous studies on these invertebrates determined their protein content, hormone secretions, medicinal value, and ecological habits, but their whole genomic sequence remains incomplete. We performed whole genome sequencing of Metaphire vulgaris (Chen, 1930), which belongs to the genus Metaphire of the family Megascolecidae. The genome assembly was 729 Mb, with a N50 contig size of 4.2 Mb. In total, 559 contigs were anchored to 41 chromosomes according to the results of Hi-C (High-throughput Chromosome Conformation Capture) technology, which was confirmed by karyological analysis. A comparison of the genomic sequences and genes indicated that there was a whole-genome duplication in M. vulgaris followed by several chromosome fusion events. Hox genes and lumbrokinase genes were identified as partial clusters surrounding the genome. Our high-quality genome assembly of M. vulgaris will provide valuable information for gene function and evolutionary studies in earthworms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Feng Jin
- College of Rehabilitation Sciences, Shanghai University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhaoli Zhou
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Molecular Imaging, Shanghai University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Qi Guo
- College of Rehabilitation Sciences, Shanghai University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhenwen Liang
- College of Rehabilitation Sciences, Shanghai University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Ruoyu Yang
- College of Rehabilitation Sciences, Shanghai University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Jibao Jiang
- Department of Agriculture and Biology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yanlin He
- College of Rehabilitation Sciences, Shanghai University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Qi Zhao
- Department of Agriculture and Biology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Qiang Zhao
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Molecular Imaging, Shanghai University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Shanghai, China
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11
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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.
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