There are at least four knownendothelin receptors, ETA, ETB1, ETB2 and ETC,[1] all of which areG protein-coupled receptors whose activation result in elevation of intracellular-freecalcium,[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.
Widely distributed in the body,receptors for endothelin are present in blood vessels and cells of the brain,choroid plexus and peripheralnerves. When applied directly to the brain of rats in picomolar quantities as an experimental model ofstroke, endothelin-1 caused severe metabolic stimulation andseizures with substantial decreases in blood flow to the same brain regions, both effects mediated bycalcium channels.[5]
A similar strong vasoconstrictor action of endothelin-1 was demonstrated in aperipheral neuropathy model in rats.[6]
^abcdeBoron WF, Boulpaep EL, 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.
"Endothelin Receptors".IUPHAR Database of Receptors and Ion Channels. International Union of Basic and Clinical Pharmacology. Archived fromthe original on 2012-02-04. Retrieved2006-07-21.