Endothelin converting enzyme assay

The sterol sulfate, halistanol disulfate B (544) was isolated from a South African Pachastrella sp. The structure and stereochemistry of compound 544 were established mainly by interpretation of spectral data. Halistanol disulfate B (544) was active in the endothelin converting enzyme (ECE) assay at a micromolar concentration [451]. Three sterol trisulfates (545-547) have been isolated from the sponges Trachyopsis halichondrioides and Cymbastela coralliophila [452]. 

The use of specific quenched fluorescent substrates (QFS) provides a rapid and sensitive method to measure peptidase activity, and is readily adaptable to high-throughput screening of potential peptidase inhibitors. In this chapter, we discuss general considerations for the development of QFS assays, and describe in detail an assay protocol for the mammalian metallopeptidase, endothelin-converting enzyme. 

---