Novel Anti-Thrombin Peptide from the Salivary Gland of Anopheles albimanus
Description of Invention:
Currently, there exists a need for effective bio-pharmacogenic inhibitors that can inhibit clot formation and platelet aggregation without lethal side effects. Blood clot formation resulting from platelet aggregation and chemical release may lead to several fatal vascular diseases such as myocardial infarction, strokes, pulmonary embolism, deep vein thrombosis, peripheral arterial occlusion and other cardiovascular thromboses. This invention pertains to the isolation and sequencing of an anticoagulant inhibitor. In particular, the invention describes the nucleic acid and amino acid sequences of anti-thrombin peptide anophelin, isolated from the salivary glands of the mosquito Anopheles albimanus. Alpha-thrombin has been reported to play an important role in the platelet dependent arterial thrombus formation leading to several life-threatening vascular diseases including myocardial infarction and strokes. The mosquito salivary anophelin described in this invention -- referenced in Valenzuela et al. Biochemistry, 1999 Aug 24;38(34):11209-15 -- is a novel, specific, tight-binding and effective inhibitor of alpha-thrombin. Biochemically, anophelin is a 6.5 kDa peptide that is easily synthesized, has no similarity to hirudin, and has no cysteines. The interaction of anophelin with anti-thrombin inhibits platelet aggregation and blood clotting. The current invention may be effectively administered in subjects, including humans, to inhibit alpha-thrombin activity by inhibiting platelet aggregation.
Inventors:
Jesus G. Valenzuela (NIAID) Jose Ribeiro (NIAID) Ivo Francischetti (NIAID)
Patent Status:
DHHS Reference No. E-143-1999/0 Licensing Status: This technology is no longer available for licensing.
For Additional Information Please Contact: Tara L. Kirby Ph.D.
NIH Office of Technology Transfer
6011 Executive Blvd, Suite 325
Rockville, MD 20852-3804
Phone: (301)435-4426
Email: tarak@mail.nih.gov
Fax: (301)402-0220
