By Caroline Ryan BBC News Online health staff

Scientists hope the research will lead to drugs being developed

They have discovered an enzyme which seems to play a key role in the formation of dangerous plaques which build up in the arteries.

Atherosclerosis is linked to high levels of cholesterol, and can lead to heart failure if it affects the coronary arteries.

Researchers from the University of Leeds have found levels of enzyme, endothelin-converting enzyme (ECE), and the protein it produces (ET-1) are higher in the condition.

We would hope we would be able to find a way of preventing the growth of the cells and preventing the development of atherosclerosis Professor Anthony Turner, University of Leeds

The enzyme constricts cells and also causes some kinds of blood cells to proliferate.

Blocking the action of the enzyme with drugs could reduce levels of the protein, and therefore the development of atherosclerosis.

Activity

They follow the same principal as a class of drugs currently used by doctors called ACE inhibitors, which block the action of a different enzyme which raises blood pressure.

ACE inhibitors work by expanding blood vessels and decreasing the pressure the blood needs to be pumped at to travel around the body.

The researchers found levels of two particular kinds of the enzyme in atherosclerotic tissue from around a dozen patients.

The levels were significantly higher than would be seen in healthy tissue.

When the cells were treated with LDL (bad) cholesterol, the levels of the enzyme increased.

Tony Turner, professor of biochemistry at University of Leeds, told BBC News Online further research was now planned.

"We will be looking at inhibiting the activity of these enzymes.

"There are some molecules that inhibit these enzymes, which may be able to promote the cells growth - ECE inhibitors.

"In the future, we would hope we would be able to find a way of preventing the growth of the cells and preventing the development of atherosclerosis.

"It could be the next generation of ACE inhibitors."

Professor Turner said it could be around five years before such drugs were developed."