View source for Hirudin

<StructureSection load='4htc' size='350' side='right' caption='Hirudin (green) complex with glycosylated thrombin small subunit (aqua) and large subunit (magenta) (PDB entry [[4htc]])' scene='41/417483/Cv/2'>
== 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|fibrinogen]] to [[Fibrin|fibrin]] upon blood clotting<ref>PMID:9579630</ref>.  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]] and [[Thrombin]].

== Relevance ==
Hirudin is an effective local treatment in patients with mild to moderate bruises<ref>PMID:11863317</ref>.  Hirudin was approved as treatment of heparin-induced thrombocytopenia and unstable angina<ref>PMID:8198374</ref>.

== Structural highlights ==
The <scene name='41/417483/Cv/4'>N-terminal tripeptide of hirudin (green) binds to the heavy chain of thrombin (magenta) and interacts with two of its active site residues: Ser195 and His57</scene><ref>PMID:1920434</ref>.

== 3D Structures of Hirudin ==
[[Hirudin 3D structures]]

</StructureSection>

== References ==
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