Endothelins are among the most potent vasoconstrictor proteins known. Three isoforms are known, each containing 21 amino acids: endothelin-1 (ET-1), endothelin-2 (ET-2), and endothelin-3 (ET-3). All three isoforms are encoded by a 38-amino-acid precursor known as big endothelin. Recently, 31-amino acid endothelins were discovered. These ET(1-31) proteins are generated by specific cleavage of big endothelin by human chymase. Endothelins are expressed in many tissues, including lung, kidney, brain, pituitary, and placenta. Overexpression of endothelins contributes to hypertension and heart disease. The processed form of endothelin-2 binds to several endothelin receptors that initiate intracellular signaling events and control a range of processes, including hypertension and ovulation. Endothelin-2 is also known as PPET2.
This kit is a solid-phase sandwich ELISA using two antibodies that are specific to human ET-2 (1-31) protein; one is precoated on the ELISA plate and the other is HRP-conjugated. This kit can be used to measure soluble ET-2 (1-31) protein in serum, EDTA-plasma, cell culture supernatants, or tissue extracts.
