Endothelins and Sarafotoxins: Peptides of Similar Structure and Different Function

Patočka, Jiří; Měrka, Vladimír; Hrdina, Vratislav; Hrdina, Radomír

doi:10.14712/18059694.2018.83

Acta Medica > Archive > 2004, Vol. 47 > Issue 3 > Endothelins and Sarafotoxins: Peptides…

Acta Med. 2004, 47: 157-162

https://doi.org/10.14712/18059694.2018.83

Endothelins and Sarafotoxins: Peptides of Similar Structure and Different Function

Jiří Patočka^a,b, Vladimír Měrka^a, Vratislav Hrdina^c, Radomír Hrdina^c

^aPurkyně Military Medical Academy, Department of Toxicology, Hradec Králové, Czech Republic
^bUniversity of South Bohemia, Department Radiology and Toxicology, České Budějovice, Czech Republic
^cCharles University in Prague, Faculty of Pharmacy in Hradec Králové, Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Hradec Králové, Czech Republic

Received April 1, 2004
Accepted June 1, 2004

Endothelins are endogenous vasoactive peptides that are considered among the most potent vasoconstrictor substances known. In addition to their vascular effects, endothelins and their receptors have been shown to be present in many organs and share plenty physiological and pathophysiological functions. Sarafotoxins are natural substances from the venom of snakes genus Atractaspis, structurally and pharmacologically near to endothelins. The current minireview focuses on the chemical and molecular aspects of endothelins and sarafotoxins, and their receptors in physiological and pathophysiological processes.