title: Endothelin peptide and converting enzymes in human endothelium.
abstract: Sites linked to the storage and transportation of endothelin (ET) were investigated in human coronary artery. ET-like immunoreactivity was detected in secretory vesicles and storage granules, indicating that the peptide may be transported via both constitutive and regulated secretory pathways. The distribution of ECE-like immunoreactivity was also investigated to determine possible sites involved in the cleavage of big ET-1 to ET-1. Sections of coronary artery labeled with antisera raised against the endothelin-converting enzymes (ECE-1 alpha, ECE-1 beta, and ECE-2) showed immunoreactive staining over luminal endothelial cells. An en face coronary artery preparation labeled with antisera raised against ECE-1 alpha and ECE-1 beta revealed only a low level of plasma membrane staining by scanning electron microscopy. The findings indicate cell surface and intracellular expression of ECE in human endothelium.
authors.affiliation: Clinical Pharmacology Unit, University of Cambridge, Addenbrooke's Hospital, England.
authors.forename: F D
authors.initials: FD
authors.lastname: Russell
authors.forename: J N
authors.initials: JN
authors.lastname: Skepper
authors.forename: A P
authors.initials: AP
authors.lastname: Davenport
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D016282:Aspartic Acid Endopeptidases / Q000378:metabolism*; D002417:Cattle; D003331:Coronary Vessels / Q000201:enzymology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000648:ultrastructure; D019332:Endothelin-1; D000072396:Endothelin-Converting Enzymes; D016232:Endothelins / Q000378:metabolism*; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000201:enzymology / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D008666:Metalloendopeptidases / Q000378:metabolism*; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D011498:Protein Precursors / Q000378:metabolism; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D019332:Endothelin-1; D016232:Endothelins; D011498:Protein Precursors; D016282:Aspartic Acid Endopeptidases; D008666:Metalloendopeptidases; C000606923:ECE1 protein, human; C000606924:ECE2 protein, human; D000072396:Endothelin-Converting Enzymes