Characterization of endothelin converting enzyme from intact cells of a permanent human endothelial cell line,...

Endothelin converting enzyme (ECE) from intact cells of a permanent human endothelial cell line, EA.hy926, was studied by examining the effects of phosphoramidon, an endothelin converting enzyme inhibitor, on the levels of secreted endothelin-1 and big endothelin-1. The specific ECE activity was demonstrated by a phosphoramidon dose-dependent decrease in ET-1 level with a concomitant increase in big ET-1 level. By using a specific neutral endopeptidase 24.11 (NEP 24.11) inhibitor, thiorphan, it was also shown that the phosphoramidon-sensitive ET-1 degrading activity in this cell line is due to the NEP 24.11 activity. Other serine, acid, and cysteine protease inhibitors had no effect on the endogenous synthesis of ET-1 and big ET-1 supporting the evidence that ECE is insensitive to these protease inhibitors as has been demonstrated with the isolated enzyme.