Isolation and Characterization of Poeciguamerin, a Peptide with Dual Analgesic and Anti-Thrombotic Activity from the Poecilobdella manillensis Leech

Abstract

When Poecilobdella manillensis attacks its prey, the prey bleeds profusely but feels little pain. We and other research teams have identified several anticoagulant molecules in the saliva of P. manillensis, but the substance that produces the paralyzing effect in P. manillensis is not known. In this study, we successfully isolated, purified, and identified a serine protease inhibitor containing an antistasin-like domain from the salivary secretions of P. manillensis. This peptide (named poeciguamerin) significantly inhibited elastase activity and slightly inhibited FXIIa and kallikrein activity, but had no effect on FXa, trypsin, or thrombin activity. Furthermore, poeciguamerin exhibited analgesic activity in the foot-licking and tail-withdrawal mouse models and anticoagulant activity in the FeCl3-induced carotid artery thrombosis mouse model. In this study, poeciguamerin was found to be a promising elastase inhibitor with potent analgesic and antithrombotic activity for the inhibition of pain and thrombosis after surgery or in inflammatory conditions.

Progress in Core–Shell Magnetic Mesoporous Materials for Enriching Post-Translationally Modified Peptides

“…They serve as the basic unit of protein composition and play a crucial role in regulating various physiological processes in organisms [ 1 ]. Additionally, peptides are involved in mineral binding [ 2 , 3 ], antibacterial activity [ 4 ], antihypertensive effects [ 5 , 6 ], antithrombotic activity [ 7 ], and antioxidant activity [ 8 , 9 ]. For instance, angiotensin II is an 8-peptide that increases blood pressure by narrowing small arteries throughout the body.…”

Identification and Characterization of RK22, a Novel Antimicrobial Peptide from Hirudinaria manillensis against Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus

“…The salivary glands of hematophagous leeches secrete an abundance of anticoagulant substances [25][26][27][28][29], and recently several novel antimicrobial peptides have been identified from these leeches such as Hirudo nipponica Whitman and Hirudo medicinalis [30][31][32]. H. manillensis is the most commonly available leech from the Chinese commercial leech market, and we and other researchers have identified a variety of anticoagulant peptides, analgesic peptides, and other active molecules from the salivary gland of H. manillensis [33][34][35][36][37]. However, no antimicrobial peptides from H. manillensis have been reported.…”