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.
Molecular Weight:
6.9 kDa (65 aa) monomer
Formulation:
Lyophilized from sterile filter 20 mM PBS, pH 7.0 containing 2% mannitol.
Purity:
> 98% by SDS-PAGE and HPLC
Biological Activity:
The biological activity is measured by chromogenic assay. 1 unit is defined as the amount of Hirudin that neutralizes 1 unit of the WHO preparation 89/588 of thrombin.
Specific Activity:
≥14,000 ATU/mg protein.
Endotoxin Level:
<1 EU/mg
Storage/Stability:
Store at -20°C to -80 °C for up to one year. Upon reconstitution, product is stable at 2-8°C for 2-7 days. For longer term, store in working aliquots containing 0.1% BSA at -20°C to -80°C. Avoid repeated freeze-thaw cycles.
