Recombinant Hirudin

Introduction

Recombinant Hirudin is a potent thrombin inhibitor originally derived from the medicinal leech. Hirudin acts directly on thrombin rather than through other clotting factors. The mechanism of Hirudin-thrombin appears to be unique. The conversion of fibrinogen into fibrin by the serine protease enzyme thrombin is a major event in the final stages of blood coagulation. In the final stages of coagulation prothrombinase converts prothrombin into thrombin. Fibrin is subsequently cross linked by factor XIII to form a blood clot. The primary inhibitor of thrombin in normal blood circulation is antihrombin III. The anticoagulatant activity of hirudin is derived from its ability to inhibit the pro-coagulant activity of thrombin (similar to antithrombin III activity). Hirudin is the strongest natural inhibitor of thrombin. Hirudin binds to and inhibits only the activity of thrombin forms with a specific activity on fibrinogen contrasting to antithrombin III activity. Therefore, hirudin has a thrombolytic activity since it prevents or dissolves the formation of clots and thrombi. Hirudin also has therapeutic significance in blood coagulation disorders, in the treatment of skin hematomas and of superficial varicose veins. Hirudin does not hinder with the biological activity of other serum proteins and can also act on complexed thrombin, thus having an advantage over more common anticoagulants and thrombolytics. It is complicated to extract large quantities of hirudin from natural sources; therefore a method for producing and purifying hirudin using recombinant biotechnology has been developed. 

Description 

Recombinant Hirudin is derived from yeast and the polypeptide chain contains 65 amino acids and its Mw is 6979.5 dalton which is identical to natural Hirudin except for the substitution of leucine for isoleucine at the N-terminal end of the molecule and the absence of a sulfate group on the tyrosine at position 63. The Recombinant Hirudin is purified by proprietary chromatographic techniques. 

CAS NO.: 113274-56-9/8001-27-2 

Specification: 30,000 ATU/g, 1,500 ATU/mg, 15,000ATU/mg 

Physical Appearance: Sterile filtered white lyophilized (freeze-dried) powder. 

Particle Size: 100% pass 80 mesh 

Source: Yeast 

Purity: Greater than 95.0% as determined by: (a) Analysis by RP-HPLC. (b) Analysis by SDS-PAGE. 

Biological Activity

The biological activity is measured using chromogenic assay, 1 unit is defined as the amount of Hirudin that neutralizes 1 unit of the WHO preparation 89/588 of thrombin. 

Application: 

1. Blood Sample Tube Coating 

Compared with traditional blood collection tubes, hirudin vacuum blood collection tubes are suitable for many types of detection items (blood routine, blood biochemistry, electrolytes, tumor markers, homocysteine and hepatitis B, etc.)with minimal dosage,which reduces the blood collection and medical costs of patients. 

2. Health food (additives) 

As a supplement component of Chinese patent medicine, hirudin polypeptide can improve human microcirculation, eliminate free radicals, delay aging and reduce blood lipids. The effect of anti-coagulation and thrombolysis has also been proved by Clinical experiments 

3. Medicine 

Prevention and treatment of arteriovenous thrombosis diseases;Auxiliary treatment of acute myocardial infarction thrombolysis; Prevention of coronary occlusion. 

4. Cosmetics (additives) 

The molecular size of hirudin is between protein and peptide. It has strong permeability and can directly penetrate into the deep layer of skin directly, improve blood circulation and facial microcirculation, and promote skin rejuvenation. Hirudin has a unique effect on inhibiting or reducing the formation of melanin, whitening and sunscreen, as well as anti-inflammatory and anti-swelling,and may also be used to treat acne.