EDN3

Endothelin 3 (EDN3), also known as ET-3, is a peptide member of the endothelin family. It acts by binding to endothelin receptor B (EDNRB), a G protein-coupled receptor, activating downstream pathways like MAPK/ERK and PI3K/Akt. These pathways regulate cell proliferation, differentiation, and neural crest cell migration—key for embryonic development.
EDN3 dysfunction links to Hirschsprung disease, marked by intestinal ganglia absence due to impaired neural crest migration. It also promotes survival of melanoma and neuroblastoma cells. Current research explores selective EDNRB antagonists as therapies for EDN3-driven malignancies and rare developmental disorders targeting the EDN3/EDNRB axis.