Description
Hirudin is a potent thrombin-specific protease inhibitor originally derived from a medicinal leech, Hirudo medicinalis. Unlike heparin, hirudin acts directly on thrombin, and complexed thrombin, rather than through other clotting factors. It has a high binding affinity and specificity for thrombin. Hirudin is the strongest natural inhibitor of thrombin. Therefore, hirundin prevents or dissolves the formation of clots and thrombin. It has a therapeutic value in blood coagulation disorders, with an advantage over more common anticoagulants and thrombolytics. Recombinant Hirudin is derived from yeast and 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