Hirudin

Function

Hirudin (Hir) is a powerful anticoagulant which is found in the leech salivary glands. It is an inhibitor of thrombin (Thr) which converts fibrinogen to fibrin upon blood clotting^[1]. Thrombin is produced upon enzymatic cleavage of prothrombin (ProThr). Hirugen (Hirg) is a dodecapeptide of the C-terminal of Hir (sequence NDGDFEEIPEEYL). For additional details see Sean Swale/Human Thrombin Inhibitor.

3D Structures of Hirudin

Updated on 22-March-2016

References

1. ↑ Fenton JW 2nd, Ofosu FA, Brezniak DV, Hassouna HI. Thrombin and antithrombotics. Semin Thromb Hemost. 1998;24(2):87-91. PMID:9579630 doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.1055/s-2007-995828