Endothelin-converting enzyme 1 (ECE1) is an enzyme that converts big endothelin-1 (big-ET-1) to endothelin-1 (ET-1). ET-1 is a highly potent vasoconstrictor that regulates vascular tone and blood pressure []. ECE-1 gene encodes four different isoforms of ECE-1 (ECE-1a, 1b, 1c and 1d), each one under the control of different promoters []. The localisation of ECE-1 at the cell surface can be regulated through phosphorylation by protein kinase C []. It can be post-transcriptionally regulated by alternative polyadenylation (APA) []. It is capable of cleaving amyloid-beta (Abeta) and hence linked to Alzheimer's disease [, ]. ECE-1 gene expression is upregulated in a number of cancers, including prostate cancer [].
