Characterization of endothelinA receptors in cerebral and peripheral arteries of the rat.

ABSTRACT

We have characterized and quantified endothelin receptors in rat brain (anterior cerebral) and peripheral (aorta, carotid, and caudal) arteries, with the use of [125I]endothelin and quantitative autoradiography. Endothelin binding was saturable, of high affinity, and totally displaced by the selective endothelin ETA antagonist BQ 123. A single class of ETA receptors is located in the medial layer of peripheral and cerebral arteries, and its quantification by autoradiography allows study of their regulation and function.