THE PREPARATION AND FUNCTION OF THE HYPERTENSIN-CONVERTING ENZYME

Abstract

It has been shown by use of isolated, perfused rat kidneys that hypertensin II is a potent vasoconstrictor substance while hypertensin I is not. Hence it would appear that in intact animals the pressor activity of hypertensin I results from its rapid conversion to hypertensin II. An enzyme which effects this conversion has been procured from horse plasma in a semipurified form by means of ammonium sulfate fractionation and isoelectric precipitation. A method is described for estimating the activity of the enzyme. An example of the use of the preparation in converting purified hypertensin I to hypertensin II has been described.