Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 10, 2026

Nitropeptide Profiling and Identification Illustrated by Angiotensin II
Published on: June 16, 2019
Nicotianamine preferentially inhibits Angiotensin I-converting enzyme
Atsumi Hayashi1, Koichi Kimoto
1Department of Food and Nutrition, Tokyo Kasei University, Tokyo, Japan. ahayashi@tokyo-kasei.ac.jp
Abstract:
Nicotianamine (NA) is a nonprotein amino acid that inhibits the angiotensin I-converting enzyme (ACE) in the renin-angiotensin system (RAS). The purpose of this study is to prove that NA contributes to the suppression of hypertension by preferential inhibition of ACE. On comparison with EDTA-a chelator-we found that the inhibition pattern of NA for ACE is that of mixed inhibition and that NA exhibits weak chelation effects for zinc, copper, and cobalt ions. Therefore, we investigated whether NA inhibited zinc-containing enzymes other than ACE in vitro. The results revealed that NA does not inhibit leucine aminopeptidase or alkaline phosphatase in rat serum. On the other hand, NA demonstrated specific inhibitory effects for rat serum ACE and aortic ACE. These results suggest that the preferential inhibition of circulatory and tissue ACE by NA can contribute to the suppression of hypertension.
Related Concept Videos
Antihypertensive Drugs: Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors
Adrenergic Antagonists: Chemistry and Classification of ɑ-Receptor Blockers
Nonselective α-blockers: Nonselective α-blockers contain haloalkylamine or imidazoline moieties. Phenoxybenzamine, with a haloalkylamine...
Antihypertensive Drugs: Direct Renin Inhibitors
Adrenergic Agonists: Indirect-Acting Agents
One mechanism involves depleting stored catecholamines by displacing them from synaptic vesicles. These agents, known as "displacers," are transported into vesicles at the expense of noradrenaline. Examples include amphetamine and tyramine, which lack a catechol moiety, resulting in prolonged action, improved oral bioavailability, and...
Drugs Affecting Neurotransmitter Release or Uptake
Adrenergic Receptors: ɑ Subtype
Adrenaline ≥ Noradrenaline >> Isoprenaline
α-adrenoceptors are further divided into α1 and α2-adrenoceptors.
α1-Adrenoceptors: These receptors are located postsynaptically on the effector organs and cause constriction of smooth muscle mediated by activation of phospholipase C—inositol-1,4,5-trisphosphate...

