Characterization of the endothelin receptor subtypes in human prostate

Endothelin (ET) receptor subtypes in human prostate with benign prostatic hyperplasia were investigated by binding and functional studies. In the displacement experiment, LU224332 [endothelin-A/-B (ET(A)/ET(B)) nonselective antagonist] competed for [125I]ET-1 binding with a monophasic curve. On the other hand, LU135252 (ET(A)-selective antagonist) and sarafotoxin S6c (S6c, ET(B)-selective agonist) competed for [125I]ET-1 binding with shallow and biphasic curves. The analysis of the displacement curves for LU135252 and S6c showed that both ET(A) and ET(B) subtypes coexist but that ET(A) is the dominantly expressed receptor. In human prostate strips, 10 microM of both LU135252 and LU224332 strongly inhibited the contractile response to ET-1 with equal potency. However, 10 microM of BQ788 (ET(B)-selective antagonist) did not show a clear inhibition. S6c also produced a contractile response, which was potently inhibited by LU224332 or BQ788, and slightly suppressed by LU135252. These results suggest that in human prostate both ET(A) and ET(B) subtypes are functional receptors mediating contraction, but that ET-1-mediated contractions are predominantly mediated by activation of dominant receptor subtype, ET(A).