MONOCLONAL-ANTIBODIES AGAINST HUMAN ENDOTHELIN-CONVERTING ENZYME-1

Endothelin-converting enzyme-1 (ECE-1) is a membrane-bound metalloprot ease which specifically converts the inactive precursor big-endothelin -l (big ET-1) to the vasoactive endothelin-1 (ET-1). Six different mou se hybridoma cell lines have been generated secreting monoclonal antib odies specific to human ECE-1. These antibodies have been proven usefu l in a fast and efficient one-step purification of membrane-bound ECE- 1 as well as of artificial soluble ECE-1 by immunoaffinity chromatogra phy. The antibodies are suitable for a quantification of ECE-1 in solu tion by a sandwich ELISA and for the immunohistochemical detection of ECE-1 in the cell membrane.