The Origin and Evolution of Antistasin-like Proteins in Leeches (Hirudinida, Clitellata).

ABSTRACT: Bloodfeeding is employed by many parasitic animals and requires specific innovations for efficient feeding. Some of these innovations are molecular features that are related to the inhibition of hemostasis. For example, bloodfeeding insects, bats, and leeches release proteins with anticoagulatory activity through their salivary secretions. The antistasin-like protein family, composed of serine protease inhibitors with one or more antistasin-like domains, is tightly linked to inhibition of hemostasis in leeches. However, this protein family has been recorded also in non-bloodfeeding invertebrates, such as cnidarians, mollusks, polychaetes, and oligochaetes. The present study aims to 1) root the antistasin-like gene tree and delimit the major orthologous groups, 2) identify potential indepen

SUBMITTER: Iwama RE 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7851590 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature