Endothelin 2 (EDN2)

Endothelin 2 is a member of the endothelin protein family of secretory vasoconstrictive peptides. The preproprotein is processed to a short mature form which functions as a ligand for the endothelin receptors that initiate intracellular signaling events. This gene product is involved in a wide range of biological processes, such as hypertension and ovulation.

The human endothelins represent a gene family comprised of endothelin-1, endothelin-2, and endothelin-3 . Based on the deduced amino acid sequences of the cloned ET2 and ET3 genes, corresponding proteins have been chemically synthesized and their vasoconstrictor activities studied. Of the 3 isopeptides, ET-2 has the most potent vasoconstrictor activity.