There are at least four known endothelin receptors, ETA, ETB1, ETB2 and ETC,[1] all of which are G protein-coupled receptors whose activation result in elevation of intracellular-free calcium,[2] which constricts the smooth muscles of the blood vessels, raising blood pressure, or relaxes the smooth muscles of the blood vessels, lowering blood pressure, among other functions.
ET receptors are also found in the nervous system where they may mediate neurotransmission and vascular functions.[4]
Brain and nerves
Widely distributed in the body, receptors for endothelin are present in blood vessels and cells of the brain, choroid plexus and peripheral nerves. When applied directly to the brain of rats in picomolar quantities as an experimental model of stroke, endothelin-1 caused severe metabolic stimulation and seizures with substantial decreases in blood flow to the same brain regions, both effects mediated by calcium channels.[5]
A similar strong vasoconstrictor action of endothelin-1 was demonstrated in a peripheral neuropathy model in rats.[6]
^ abcdeWalter F. Boron, Emile L. Boulpaep, eds. (2009). Medical physiology a cellular and molecular approach (2nd ed.). Philadelphia, PA: Saunders/Elsevier. p. 480. ISBN9781437720174.
^Barnes K, Turner AJ; Turner (August 1997). "The endothelin system and endothelin-converting enzyme in the brain: molecular and cellular studies". Neurochem. Res. 22 (8): 1033–40. doi:10.1023/A:1022435111928. PMID9239759. S2CID9101207.
^Gross PM, Zochodne DW, Wainman DS, Ho LT, Espinosa FJ, Weaver DF (July 1992). "Intraventricular endothelin-1 uncouples the blood flow: metabolism relationship in periventricular structures of the rat brain: involvement of L-type calcium channels". Neuropeptides. 22 (3): 155–65. doi:10.1016/0143-4179(92)90158-S. PMID1331845. S2CID24411443.
^Zochodne DW, Ho LT, Gross PM (December 1992). "Acute endoneurial ischemia induced by epineurial endothelin in the rat sciatic nerve". Am. J. Physiol. 263 (6 Pt 2): H1806–10. doi:10.1152/ajpheart.1992.263.6.H1806. PMID1481904.
^Verheij JB, Kunze J, Osinga J, van Essen AJ, Hofstra RM (2002). "ABCD syndrome is caused by a homozygous mutation in the EDNRB gene". Am. J. Med. Genet. 108 (3): 223–5. doi:10.1002/ajmg.10172. PMID11891690.
Davenport AP, Hyndman KA, Dhaun N, Southan C, Kohan DE, Pollock JS, Pollock DM, Webb DJ, Maguire JJ. (2016) 'Endothelin' Pharmacol. Rev. 68: 357-418. pmid =26956245 doi =10.1124/pr.115.011833
External links
"Endothelin Receptors". IUPHAR Database of Receptors and Ion Channels. International Union of Basic and Clinical Pharmacology. Archived from the original on 2012-02-04. Retrieved 2006-07-21.