[³H]Captopril binding to membrane associated angiotensin converting enzyme

[³H]Captopril binding to membrane fractions of rat tissues is saturable and reversible with a K_D of 2.4nM. [³H]Captopril binding and angiotensin converting enzyme measured with hippuryl-L-histidine-L-leucine are distributed in parallel between different tissues and brain regions, with highest levels in the choroid plexus, lung and corpus striatum. Captopril, N-(1(S)-carboxy-3-phenyl-propyl)-L-alanyl-L-proline, N-(1(S)-carboxy-3-phenyl-propyl)-L-lysyl-L-proline, teprotide, thiorphan and S-acetylcaptopril each have similar potencies for inhibition of [³H]captopril binding and of angiotensin converting enzyme. These data strongly indicate that [³H]Captopril binding evaluation should help clarify the localization and function of angiotensin converting enzyme and assist in defining pharmacologic actions of captopril.