Regulation of the major isoform of human endothelin-converting enzyme-1 by a strong housekeeping promoter modulated by polymorphic microsatellites

Abstract

Our results provide a molecular explanation for constitutive expression of ECE-1c mRNA. Modulation by genetic and epigenetic mechanisms as revealed in our study may account for interindividual variation of the constitutive endothelin system activity in humans and thus influence individual predisposition to cardiovascular disease.