ENDOTHELIN CONVERTING-ENZYME-1 MESSENGER-RNA EXPRESSION IN HUMAN CARDIOVASCULAR-DISEASE

Endothelin-1 converting-enzyme (ECE-1) cleaves the precursor, big-endo thelin-1, to the active peptide endothelin-1. The aim of this study wa s to investigate whether ECE-1 mRNA expression is modified in human ca rdiovascular disease. Tissue samples from the left human atrium were a nalyzed for ECE-1 expression and related to different clinical paramet ers. A quantitative PCR assay (qPCR) with competitive and non-competit ive standards was established. The ECE-1 measurements were normalized by a GAPDH qPCR. Patients who suffered from a myocardial infarction ha d elevated ECE-1 levels when compared to controls (5.81 +/- 0.76 vs. 3 .20 +/- 0.51 fg ECE-1, ng GAPDH, p<0.05). Drug treatment with the beta -blocker metoprolol was associated with a decreased ECE-1 expression l evel (3.90 +/- 0.58 vs. 5.81 +/- 0.76 fg ECE-1, ng GAPDH, p<0.1). We c onclude that the expression of ECE-1 is altered in the atrial tissue d epending on the physiological status of the heart. This suggests a dif ferential role of ECE-1 in cardiovascular diseases.