Functional evidence for the presence of a phosphoramidon-sensitive enzyme in rat brain that converts big endothelin-1 to endothelin-1.
Endothelin-1 (ET-1) is produced from its precursor, big endothelin-1 (BigET-1), by a putative endothelin-converting enzyme (ECE), but it is not known whether the enzyme is present in the brain. This study was conducted to examine the central hemodynamic effects of BigET-1 and to indirectly determine the presence of an ECE in rat brain. Cardiovascular effects of centrally administered BigET-1 and ET-1 were examined in anesthetized, ventilated rats. BigET-1 (100 pmol) or ET-1 (10 pmol) applied to the IV ventricle produced similar prolonged decreases in mean arterial pressure (MAP) and renal blood flow (RBF). Thus, peak decreases with BigET-1 were (mean +/- S.E.): MAP = -35 +/- 4%; RBF = -27 +/- 5%, while those with ET-1 were: MAP = -36 +/- 5%; RBF = -29 +/- 9%. Pretreatment with phosphoramidon, a metalloprotease inhibitor (90 nmol), abolished the hemodynamic responses elicited by BigET-1 (MAP = -9 +/- 2%; RBF = -3 +/- 2%) but not those produced by ET-1. These data indicate that; i) conversion of BigET-1 to ET-1 in the brain is essential for the expression of hemodynamic actions and ii) a metalloprotease capable of converting BigET-1 to ET-1 is present in rat brain.
Division of Pharmacology, Wellcome Research Laboratories, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709.
M A
MA
Hashim
A S
AS
Tadepalli
D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000818:Animals; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D001921:Brain / Q000201:enzymology*; D002319:Cardiovascular System / Q000187:drug effects*; D019332:Endothelin-1; D016232:Endothelins / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000494:pharmacology; D006020:Glycopeptides / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008297:Male; D008666:Metalloendopeptidases / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000378:metabolism*; D011498:Protein Precursors / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000494:pharmacology; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D012079:Renal Circulation / Q000187:drug effects
D019332:Endothelin-1; D016232:Endothelins; D006020:Glycopeptides; D011498:Protein Precursors; D008666:Metalloendopeptidases; C008890:phosphoramidon