Human endothelin-converting enzyme (ECE-1): three isoforms with distinct subcellular localizations

Reed

Journal of Biological Chemistry

2001

317

245

Deposition of ␤-amyloid (A␤) peptides in the brain is an early and invariant feature of all forms of Alzheimer's disease. As with any secreted protein, the extracellular concentration of A␤ is determined not only by its production but also by its catabolism. A major focus of Alzheimer's research has been the elucidation of the mechanisms responsible for the generation of A␤. Much less, however, is known about the mechanisms responsible for A␤ removal in the brain. In this report, we describe the identification of endothelin-converting enzyme-1 (ECE-1) as a novel A␤-degrading enzyme. We show that treatment of endogenous ECE-expressing cell lines with the metalloprotease inhibitor phosphoramidon causes a 2-3-fold elevation in extracellular A␤ concentration that appears to be due to inhibition of intracellular A␤ degradation. Furthermore, we show that overexpression of ECE-1 in Chinese hamster ovary cells, which lack endogenous ECE activity, reduces extracellular A␤ concentration by up to 90% and that this effect is completely reversed by treatment of the cells with phosphoramidon. Finally, we show that recombinant soluble ECE-1 is capable of hydrolyzing synthetic A␤40 and A␤42 in vitro at multiple sites.

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confidence: 87%

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confidence: 99%

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confidence: 99%

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confidence: 99%

See 2 more Smart Citations

Degradation of the Alzheimer's Amyloid β Peptide by Endothelin-converting Enzyme

Reed

Journal of Biological Chemistry

2001

317

245

“…Endothelin-converting enzyme-1 is a membrane-bound zincdependent metallopeptidase of the M13 family, which also includes the closely related peptidase, neutral endopeptidase (NEP, CALLA, CD10) (Turner et al, 2001). Endothelin-converting enzyme-1 has a broad tissue distribution and exists as four distinct isoforms termed ECE-1a, ECE-1b, ECE-1c (Schweizer et al, 1997) and ECE1d (Valdenaire et al, 1999). These isoforms differ only in their Nterminal regions and are derived from a single gene through the use of alternative promoters.…”

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confidence: 99%

Stromal–epithelial interactions influence prostate cancer cell invasion by altering the balance of metallopeptidase expression

et al. 2004

Perturbations of stromal -epithelial interactions in the developing tumour can contribute to cancer invasion and metastasis. The structurally related metallopeptidases endothelin-converting enzyme (ECE) and neutral endopeptidase (NEP) contribute sequentially to the synthesis and inactivation of ET-1, a mitogenic peptide that has been shown to affect tumour behaviour. This study has investigated the interaction between metastatic tumour epithelial cells, which lack NEP, and stromal cells, which we have shown to express ECE-1 (stromal -epithelial interactions), using Matrigel invasion chambers. The epithelial cell lines utilised in this study include androgen-sensitive LNCaP, androgen-independent PC-3, Du145 and recently established PNT-1a, PNT2-C2 and P4E6 prostate cell lines. Specific inhibition of endogenous ECE-1 activity in stromal cells reduced PC-3 and Du145 invasion by 70 and 50%, respectively. Addition of recombinant NEP to inactivate endogenous mitogenic peptides resulted in 50 and 20% reductions in invasion in PC-3 and Du145 cells, respectively. Neutral endopeptidase effects were reversed in the presence of thiorphan, a specific NEP inhibitor. Supplementation of defined media with bradykinin and ET-1 significantly increased PC-3 invasion by 40 and 50%, respectively. Du145 cell invasion increased by approximately 100% on adding ET-1. These studies implicate the metallopeptidases NEP and ECE-1 as mediators of prostate cancer invasion via a stromal/epithelial interaction.

Burger's Medicinal Chemistry and Drug Discovery

Endogenous Vasoactive Peptides

Webb

Ksander²

2010

The control of vasomotor tone regulates the overall cardiovascular system and its responses to physiological and pathophysiological stress. It provides differential blood flow to regional vascular beds under normal physiologic conditions, at times of normal stress, such as exercise, and during conditions of pathological stress, such as congestive heart failure. Although the vascular system regulates many of its functions at the site of the blood vessel itself, other factors that may control vascular tone include the autonomic nervous system, circulating hormones functioning in an endocrine role, and reflex metabolic control. Many newly discovered peptides were found to be widespread in autonomic and sensory neurons innervating the vasculature, and they possess potent vasoactive effects on many blood vessels. Vasoactive peptides have been shown to play an important role in many pathological situations, for example, asthma, arthritis, vascular headaches, hypertension, and other cardiovascular diseases. In this chapter, we will outline the evidence for the different actions of various vasoactive peptides, their interaction with other systems, the possible role they have in diseases, and the present and future therapeutic use of vasoactive peptide agonists and antagonists.