Test of hirudin activity by tracking the binding of hirudin to thrombin in the presence of BS3 cross-linking

Hirudin has a great potential in inhibiting thrombin, and its antithrombin activity has direct bearing on its clinical application. Using bovine alpha-thrombin and recombinant hirudin of Poecilobdella javanica purified from Phichia pastoris as materials, this study introduced a novel method to testing antithrombin activity of hirudin visually and dynamically by tracking the binding of hirudin to thrombin. After incubating the mixture of thrombin and hirudin at 37 °C for 5 min, the binding of hirudin to thrombin was cross-linked by bis[sulfosuccinimidyl] suberate for 30 min and visualized by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. With the aid of image analysis on the basis of INRA-Noésis E1D analysis software, antithrombin activity of hirudin was calculated through intensity variations of protein bands of either thrombin-hirudin compound, unbound thrombin, or unbound hirudin. In this regard, activity of the given hirudin was tested to be 5625 ATU/mg based on a single reaction, and 5675.3 ATU/mg based on a series of reactions in a stepwise manner, close to the result of 6000 ATU/mg concluded by titration method. The superiorities of the method include good accuracy (the minimum testable concentration of hirudin is 1.5 μg/ml) and little sample consumption (sample consumption of hirudin is generally 1-11.5 μl using the apparatus of Mini Protean 3 Cell). Easy operation, low input, and equipment requirement also grant it as an effective way.