Endothelin receptor A (ETAR), also known as EDNRA, ET1 receptor, ETA, EDN1 and ET-AR, is a member of the guanine-binding regulatory protein-coupled receptor family. ETAR binds endothelins and has the highest affinity for its ligand, ET1, as compared to the ETBR receptor. Both ET receptors, ETAR and ETBR, are activated by ET1, which results in inhibition of active lens sodiumpotassium transport. Activation of the ET receptors also causes an increase in cytoplasmic calcium concentration in cultured lens epithelial cells. In addition, ETAR induces arachidonic acid accumulation. ETAR has seven hydrophobic transmembrane domains and is expressed in aorta, lung, atrium, kidney, placenta and prostate. Specifically, placental vascular smooth muscle cells (PVSMCs) exclusively express ETAR.