Studies of endothelin-converting enzyme in bovine endothelial cells and vascular smooth-muscle cells: further characterization of the biosynthetic process.
Endothelin-1 (ET-1) is synthesized by a number of cell types, including endothelial, epithelial, and smooth muscle cells. Initial biosynthesis occurs as a protein precursor, preproendothelin-1 (preproET-1). This is processed intracellularly to the inactive intermediate big ET-1, which is hydrolyzed by endothelin-converting enzyme (ECE) to generate ET-1, but the precise identity of the physiologically relevant ECE has yet to be confirmed. Although ET-1 is synthesized in the constitutive secretory pathway, many features of the selective processing of proET-1 are comparable to those of peptide hormones. We describe here experimental investigations aimed at defining the regulation of ET-1 synthesis and its relationship to the biosynthesis of ECE.
Corder
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William Harvey Research Institute, St. Bartholomew's, Queen Mary and Westfield College, London, England.
Khan
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N
Barker
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D000818:Animals; D016282:Aspartic Acid Endopeptidases / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D002417:Cattle; D019332:Endothelin-1 / Q000378:metabolism; D000072396:Endothelin-Converting Enzymes; D016232:Endothelins / Q000096:biosynthesis; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000166:cytology / Q000201:enzymology*; D008666:Metalloendopeptidases / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D009131:Muscle, Smooth, Vascular / Q000166:cytology / Q000201:enzymology*; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D011498:Protein Precursors / Q000096:biosynthesis; D011651:Pulmonary Artery / Q000166:cytology / Q000201:enzymology
D019332:Endothelin-1; D016232:Endothelins; D011498:Protein Precursors; D016282:Aspartic Acid Endopeptidases; D008666:Metalloendopeptidases; D000072396:Endothelin-Converting Enzymes