Draculin

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Draculin is a glycoprotein found in the saliva of vampire bats. It is composed of 411 amino acids. It functions as an anticoagulant, inhibiting coagulation factors IX (IXa) and X (Xa), thus keeping the blood of the bitten victim from clotting while the bat is drinking.

External links

  • Fernandez AZ, Tablante A, Bartoli F, Beguin S, Hemker HC, Apitz-Castro R. Expression of biological activity of draculin, the anticoagulant factor from vampire bat saliva, is strictly dependent on the appropriate glycosylation of the native molecule. Biochim Biophys Acta 1998;1425:291-9. PMID 9795244.