title: Endothelin-converting enzyme: its functional aspect.
abstract: The system of endothelin peptides and their structure, biological activity, and role in physiological and pathological processes are reviewed with emphasis on endothelin-converting enzyme (ECE), which catalyzes the terminal processing of endothelin. Molecular specificity, structure, isoforms, physicochemical characteristics, substrate preference, and tissue localization characterize this enzyme as a novel and highly important metalloendopeptidase. The role of ECE in pathological processes and data on inhibitors of the enzyme which can have medical implication are summarized.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Biomedical Chemistry, Russian Academy of Medical Sciences, ul. Pogodinskaya 10, Moscow, 119832 Russia. inst@ibmh.msk.su
authors.forename: O A
authors.initials: OA
authors.lastname: Gomazkov
mesh_terms: D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000818:Animals; D016282:Aspartic Acid Endopeptidases / Q000502:physiology*; D019332:Endothelin-1; D000072396:Endothelin-Converting Enzymes; D016232:Endothelins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007527:Isoenzymes / Q000737:chemistry / Q000502:physiology; D008666:Metalloendopeptidases / Q000502:physiology*; D008956:Models, Chemical; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D011487:Protein Conformation; D011498:Protein Precursors / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D019332:Endothelin-1; D016232:Endothelins; D007527:Isoenzymes; D011498:Protein Precursors; D016282:Aspartic Acid Endopeptidases; D008666:Metalloendopeptidases; D000072396:Endothelin-Converting Enzymes