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Thromb Haemost 1984; 51(01): 024-026
DOI: 10.1055/s-0038-1661011
Original Article
Schattauer GmbH Stuttgart

Protease Inhibitors in Haementeria Leech Species

E H Murer
1   The section of Hematology-Oncology, Pennsylvania Hospital, Philadelphia, PA
,
H L James
2   The Department of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, U.S.A.
,
A Z Budzynski
3   The Thrombosis Research Center, Temple University School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, U.S.A.
,
S M Malinconico
3   The Thrombosis Research Center, Temple University School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, U.S.A.
,
G J Gasic
1   The section of Hematology-Oncology, Pennsylvania Hospital, Philadelphia, PA
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

Received 17 June 1983

Accepted 04 November 1983

Publication Date:
19 July 2018 (online)

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Summary

Inhibitors, of trypsin, plasmin, α-chymotrypsin and granulocyte elastase were demonstrated in salivary gland extracts from two species of leeches, Haementeria ghilianii and Haementeria officinalis. Preliminary fractionation of salivary gland extracts from Haementeria ghilianii allowed separation of protease inhibitors from hementin a fibrinogenolytic blood anticoagulant. It was found that the anticoagulant activity resided only in hementin-containing fractions and did not parallel protease inhibitory activity.

Key Words

Protease inhibitors - Leeches - Haementeria - Hementin
 

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