Title: Hirudin
CAS Registry Number: 8001-27-2
Trademarks: Exhirud (Sanofi Winthrop); Hirudex (Cooper)
Literature References: Anticoagulant protein extracted from the salivary glands of the medicinal leech,
Hirudo medicinalis Linn. Hirudin is a single chain polypeptide containing 65 amino acids; mol wt approximately 7000 daltons. Several isoforms have been identified. A specific inhibitor of thrombin,
q.v., hirudin does not require the presence of other coagulation factors. Isoln: J. B. Haycraft,
Arch. Exp. Pathol. Pharmakol. 18, 209 (1884). Initial characterization: F. Markwardt,
Naturwissenschaften 42, 537 (1955). Improved isoln: P. Walsmann, F. Markwardt,
Thromb. Res. 40, 563 (1985). Amino acid sequence: T. E. Petersen
et al. in
Protides of the Biological Fluids vol. 23, H. Peeters, Ed. (Pergamon Press, London, 1976) pp 145-149. Antithrombin activity: F. Markwardt,
Methods Enzymol. 19, 924 (1970). Pharmacokinetics in humans: F. Markwardt
et al., Thromb. Haemostasis 52, 160 (1984). Chromogenic assay in plasma: U. Griessbach
et al., Thromb. Res. 37, 347 (1985). Series of articles on development, pharmacology, and therapeutic potential of natural and recombinant hirudins:
Semin. Thromb. Hemostasis 15, 261-333 (1989). Review of pharmacology and therapeutic potential: P. H. Johnson,
Annu. Rev. Med. 45, 165-177 (1994); of therapeutic use in myocardial infarction: U. Zeymer, K.-L. Neuhaus,
Drug Saf. 12, 234-239 (1995).
Properties: Gray or white flakes or powder. pI 3.9. Sol in water, physiol saline soln, in pyridine. Practically insol in alcohol, ether, acetone, benzene. Deteriorates on storage in sealed ampuls, on exposure to heat and when in soln with dil acids.
Derivative Type: Desirudin
CAS Registry Number: 120993-53-5
CAS Name: 63-Desulfohirudin (
Hirudo medicinalis isoform HV1)
Synonyms: ds-hirudin
Manufacturers' Codes: CGP-39393
Trademarks: Revasc (Aventis)
Literature References: Identical in amino acid sequence to natural hirudin variant 1 (HV1) except that it lacks a sulfate group on Tyr at residue 63. Production by recombinant DNA technology: M. Liersch
et al., EP 168342 (1986 to Ciba-Geigy);
eidem, US 5422249 (1995 to Ciba-Geigy; UCP Gen-Pharma); E. Fortkamp
et al., DNA 5, 511 (1986); J. Dodt
et al., FEBS Lett. 202, 373 (1986). Physicochemical properties: A. Electricwala
et al., Thromb. Haemostasis 63, 499 (1990). Clinical pharmacology: M. Verstraete
et al., J. Am. Coll. Cardiol. 22, 1080 (1993). Clinical trial in coronary angioplasty: A. A. van den Bos
et al., Circulation 88, 2058 (1993); in acute coronary syndromes: E. J. Topol
et al., N. Engl. J. Med. 335, 775 (1996).
Derivative Type: Lepirudin
CAS Registry Number: 138068-37-8
CAS Name: 1-L-Leucine-2-L-threonine-63-desulfohirudin (
Hirudo medicinalis isoform HV1)
Manufacturers' Codes: HBW-023
Trademarks: Refludan (Aventis)
Literature References: Peptide of 65 amino acids produced by recombinant DNA technology. Prepn: P. Crause
et al., EP 324712;
eidem, US 5180668 (1989, 1993 both to Hoechst AG). Clinical pharmacology: H. J. Roethig
et al., Int. Congr. Ser. - Excerpta Med. 944, 227 (1991). Clinical trial as adjunctive therapy with TPA: U. Zeymer
et al., Am. J. Cardiol. 76, 997 (1995); in heparin-induced thrombocytopenia: F. Schiele
et al., Am. J. Hematol. 50, 20 (1995).
Therap-Cat: Antithrombotic.
Keywords: Anticoagulant.
