Peptide research protocols : endothelin / edited by Janet J. Maguire and Anthony P. Davenport.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

Immunocytochemical localization of endothelin peptides, precursors, and endothelin-converting enzymes / R.E. Kuc -- Analysis of endothelins by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and radioimmunoassay / A.P. Davenport and R.E. Kuc -- Separation of endothelin isoforms by high performance liquid chromatography and detection by radioimmunoassay / M.J. Ashby -- Radioligand binding assays and quantitative autoradiography of endothelin receptors / A.P. Davenport and R.E. Kuc -- Using receptor antagonists in binding studies to characterize a mammalian endothelin receptor / J.R. Wu-Wong -- Quantification of endothelin receptor mRNA by competitive RT-PCR / P.J. Smith and J.C. Monge -- Detection and assessment of endothelin-converting enzyme activity / C.D. Jackson and A.J. Turner -- Quantitative measurement of mrna levels by RT-PCR. Studies of ece-1 isoforms / D.M. Lees [and others] -- Evaluation of endothelin-converting enzyme inhibitors using cultured cells / R. Corder -- Endothelin-converting enzyme activity in vascular smooth muscle preparations in vitro / J.J. Maguire -- Characterization of a new endothelin receptor ligand by in vitro assays / J.R. Wu-Wong -- Use of in vitro organ cultures of human saphenous vein as a model for intimal proliferation / K.E. Porter -- Investigation of the endothelin system in experimental heart failure / G.A. Gray and L. Sherry -- Local forearm vasoconstriction to endothelin-1 measured by venous occlusion plethysmography in vivo / F.E. Strachan and D.J. Webb.

Print version record.

Tantalizing new research frontiers are opening in peptide research, where the endothelins constitute an important class of signals that can be manipulated therapeutically to treat cardiovascular disease. In Peptide Research Protocols: Endothelin, a panel of multidisciplinary experts describes in detail readily reproducible methods to investigate all aspects of peptide research by focusing on the endothelin system-from its synthesis and metabolism, to its function in health and disease. These methods use state-of-the-art molecular techniques to quantify the expression of mRNA, here using both endothelin receptors and the endothelin-converting enzymes. They show how peptides, precursors, receptors, and synthetic enzymes can be localized and quantified in plasma, culture supernatants, tissue homogenate, and tissue sections using antibodies, and how radioligand binding techniques can provide additional information on receptor characterization. In vitro assays are presented to determine the function of peptides in isolated preparations, to characterize new receptor ligands, and to provide information on the tissue-specific processing of precursor peptides-all in the endothelin system. Several in vivo protocols illustrate the role of the endothelin peptides in healthy human individuals and describe animal models that can be used to predict the therapeutic potential of cardiovascular drugs that manipulate endothelin synthesis or function. Authoritative and timely, Peptide Research Protocols: Endothelin provides both a comprehensive introduction to endothelin biology and an up-to-date collection of proven techniques and experimental strategies for use in peptide research today.

English.