AUTHOR=Rongchuan Xiong , Jianhong Li , Tingchang Liu , Chengyuan Su , Hong Chen , Zhengpeng Chen , Chaozhi Tang , Xinxia Zhao 
  
TITLE=Identification and bioinformatics analysis of a novel member of the lumbrokinase gene family in earthworms
  
JOURNAL=Frontiers in Bioinformatics
  
VOLUME=Volume 6 - 2026
  
YEAR=2026
  
URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/bioinformatics/articles/10.3389/fbinf.2026.1736746
  
DOI=10.3389/fbinf.2026.1736746
  
ISSN=2673-7647
  
ABSTRACT=BackgroundLumbrokinase is a novel antithrombotic drug isolated and purified from earthworms and used in the treatment of stroke and cardiovascular disease. However, to date, there has been no systematic classification of lumbrokinase genes.MethodsIn this study, a new member of the lumbrokinase gene family LUKA, which has not yet been reported, was cloned from Eisenia andrei by a homologous sequence method. The full-length cDNA sequence of LUKA was obtained through second-generation sequencing. The gene and protein were analyzed using various bioinformatics software tools.ResultsThe molecular formula of LUKA was C1347H2068N360O419S18, indicating it is a stable protein. The amino acid sequence of LUKA contained high proportion of valine (10.2%) and serine (9.2%) and possessed a peptide signal along with the corresponding cleavage site.ConclusionPhylogenetic analysis showed that LUKA has multiple distinct amino acid sites compared with other lumbrokinases and represents a rare type of lumbrokinase. This study provides a new genetic material of rare lumbrokinase types.