Bradykinin increases the secretion and expression of endothelin-1 through kinin B2 receptors in melanoma cells

The present study was conducted to determine whether bradykinin would affect the secretion and expression of endothelin-1 (ET-1) in B16-BL6 melanoma cells. Bradykinin administered to cultured melanoma cells increased preproET-1 mRNA level and the secretion of ET-1. Although kinin B1 and B2 receptor mRNAs are expressed in the melanoma cells, the increase of preproET-1 mRNA expression and the secretion of ET-1 were inhibited by kinin B2, but not by B1, receptor antagonist. These results suggest that bradykinin regulates the secretion and biosynthesis of ET-1 through kinin B2 receptor in tumor cells, especially melanoma cells.