The present study aimed to investigate endothelin-1 (ET-1) receptors in human and swine cardiomyocytes with binding studies using ET(A) and ET(B) selective receptor antagonists (BMS-182874 and BQ-788, respectively). Cell distribution of mRNA expression for ET(A) and ET(B) subtypes was investigated by in situ hybridization using specific cDNA probes. The 1251-ET-1 binding, which reached equilibrium in about 120 min (Kobs = 0.051+/-0.003 min(-1)), was only partially displaceable by the addition of a large excess of ET-1 (about 15% with a half-life of 20 min). In equilibrium binding studies, 125I-ET-1 had a Kd of 0.43+/-0.08 nM and a maximum binding (Bmax) of 42.8+/-6.6 fmol/mg protein. ET(A) and ET(B) receptors are represented in human and swine cardiomyocytes with an 85:15 ratio as indicated by the biphasic pattern of competition of both BMS-182874 and BQ-788. In situ hybridization studies confirmed that myocytes mainly expressed mRNA for ET(A), whereas expression of mRNA for the ET(B) subtype was documented in non-myocyte cells. These results showed that ET-1 binds with high affinity and poor reversibility to specific receptors, in both human and swine isolated ventricular cardiomyocytes, without significant species differences.