title: Effects of the N-terminal sequence of ACE on the properties of its C-domain.
abstract: Angiotensin I-converting enzyme (ACE, kininase II) has 2 active domains (N and C) in a single peptide chain. Because we found its N-domain more stable than its C-domain, we investigated the effect of the amino-terminus of human ACE on the C-domain with a molecular construct expressed in Chinese hamster ovary cells (CHO) cells and transiently in HEK293 cells. This active N-deleted ACE contained only the first 141 amino acids of the human N-domain but not its active center and was linked to the active C-domain containing the transmembrane and cytosolic portions of ACE. The CHO cells were also transfected with human B(2) bradykinin receptor. ACE inhibitors (5 nmol/L or 1 micromol/L) augmented bradykinin (100 nmol/L) effects, elevated B(2) receptor numbers, and resensitized the receptor desensitized by agonist as measured by arachidonic acid release or [Ca(2+)](i) mobilization. Arachidonic acid release was mediated by pertussis toxin-sensitive G alpha(i), and [Ca(2+)](i) mobilization was mediated by pertussis-insensitive G alpha(q) protein receptor complex. The properties of the construct were compared with wild-type ACE and separate N- and C-domains. The N-deleted ACE differed from wild-type in activation by Cl(-) and [SO(4)](2-) ions, hydrolysis ratios of substrates (both short synthetic and endogenous peptides) and heat stability. Thus, the N-terminal peptide of ACE affected the characteristics of the C-domain active center. ACE inhibitors acting on N-deleted ACE, which had only a single C-domain active center anchored to plasma membrane, induced cross-talk between the enzyme and the B(2) receptor (eg, the inhibitors resensitized the receptor) independent of blocking bradykinin inactivation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology, University of Illinois College of Medicine at Chicago, USA.
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Marcic
authors.forename: P A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Deddish
authors.forename: H L
authors.initials: HL
authors.lastname: Jackman
authors.forename: E G
authors.initials: EG
authors.lastname: Erdös
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Tan
mesh_terms: D000806:Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology; D000818:Animals; D016466:CHO Cells; D002118:Calcium / Q000378:metabolism; D002712:Chlorides / Q000494:pharmacology; D006224:Cricetinae; D004795:Enzyme Stability; D006801:Humans; D007703:Peptidyl-Dipeptidase A / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000502:physiology; D037342:Pertussis Toxin; D043782:Receptor, Bradykinin B2; D018002:Receptors, Bradykinin / Q000502:physiology; D013329:Structure-Activity Relationship; D010566:Virulence Factors, Bordetella / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D000806:Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors; D002712:Chlorides; D043782:Receptor, Bradykinin B2; D018002:Receptors, Bradykinin; D010566:Virulence Factors, Bordetella; D037342:Pertussis Toxin; D007703:Peptidyl-Dipeptidase A; D002118:Calcium