title: [Endothelins--properties, formation, mechanism of action and significance].
abstract: In endothelial cells of the blood vessels and in other cell types by the cleavage of precursor-molecules 21 amino acids containing peptides--the endothelins--are formed. There exist 3 isoforms. The synthesis of endothelin 1 in the endothelial cells is stimulated by adrenaline, noradrenaline, angiotensin II, arginine-vasopressin, thrombine, interleukin 1 and hypoxia. Receptors for endothelins are distributed in most tissues. A significance of the endothelins apparently exists in the stimulation of the activity of the heart and in the vasoconstriction in the case of a decrease of the blood pressure (when blood is lost) and of hypoxia. Endothelins are also formed in the lungs, the kidneys, the brain and the eye. In experimental animals already a low dose of endothelin has a lethal effect by inducing disturbances in the cardiovascular system. By the snake species Atractaspis engaddensis formed sarafotoxins have a similar structure as the endothelins and are effective by binding to their receptors.
authors.affiliation: Veterinär-Physiologisch-Chemisches Institut, Veterinärmedizinischen Fakultät Universität Leipzig.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Kolb
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002319:Cardiovascular System / Q000187:drug effects*; D016232:Endothelins / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D007022:Hypotension / Q000378:metabolism; D000860:Hypoxia / Q000378:metabolism; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D017466:Receptors, Endothelin; D014018:Tissue Distribution; D014661:Vasoconstriction / Q000187:drug effects; D014662:Vasoconstrictor Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D014757:Viper Venoms / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D016232:Endothelins; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface; D017466:Receptors, Endothelin; D014662:Vasoconstrictor Agents; D014757:Viper Venoms; C057354:sarafotoxins s6
vernacular_title: Endotheline--Eigenschaften, Bildung, Wirkungsmechanismus und Bedeutung.