High-affinity binding of the converting enzyme inhibitor, ramiprilat, to isolated human glomeruli

Evidence for effects of angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) on isolated human glomeruli was provided using specific binding of tritium-labeled ramiprilat, a potent inhibitor of ACE. [3H]ramiprilat bound to isolated glomeruli, depending on time and temperature, displaying a KD of 3.8 nmol/L and a Bmax of 853 fmol/mg protein. Specific binding represented more than 90% of total binding. Dissociation occurred rapidly after dilution of the sample with incubation buffer or after addition of an excess of unlabeled inhibitor. Binding of [3H]ramiprilat was also inhibited by increasing concentrations of enalaprilat, another ACE inhibitor. ACE is a zinc-containing enzyme. Addition of EGTA to the assay, which chelates zinc ions, completely prevented binding. This was reversed by divalent Zn2+ and Ca2+ ions, but not by magnesium. Binding of [3H]ramiprilat to isolated glomeruli was maximal at pH 8, which also is optimal for ACE activity. The binding of [3H]ramiprilat to isolated human glomeruli is specific, and resembles the characteristics which have been found earlier for enzyme activity of ACE. Thus, binding of [3H]ramiprilat to isolated glomeruli can be assumed to be directed to ACE.