Endothelins

A peptidergic activity produced in endothelial cells that caused coronary vasoconstriction was described in 1985, 1 and a family of peptides, named the endothelins, was subsequently isolated and identified. 2 The three members of the family — endothelin-1, endothelin-2, and endothelin-3 — are produced in a variety of tissues, where they act as modulators of vasomotor tone, cell proliferation, and hormone production. Studies with endothelins and specific endothelin-receptor antagonists have suggested that these peptides are important in vascular physiology and disease. This article reviews the important details of the synthesis and actions of endothelins and the roles of endothelins in organ function . . .