Endothelin-3
Cardiovascular / DevelopmentalAlso known as: ET-3, EDN3
Endothelin FamilyResearch phase: PreclinicalRegulatory: Not approved as drug. Endogenous peptide.
Mechanism
Endothelin-3 preferentially activates the ETB receptor, causing vasodilation rather than vasoconstriction. It is critical for the development of neural crest-derived cells including melanocytes and enteric neurons.
Technical detail
Endothelin-3 is a 21-amino acid peptide with higher selectivity for ETB than ETA receptors, favoring vasodilation via endothelial NO release over vasoconstriction. Critical for neural crest cell migration and differentiation; EDN3 mutations cause Waardenburg-Shah syndrome (hearing loss, pigmentation defects, Hirschsprung disease) and lethal white foal syndrome.