ACE2

Also known as

• Angiotensin-converting enzyme 2

 

Laconic summary

• ACE2 is an enzyme involved in RAAS. Several viruses exploit it to enter host cells.

 

Physiology

• Catalyses the conversion of angiotensin II (a vasoconstrictor) into 'angiotensin 1-7' (a vasodilator).
• Lowers blood pressure.

See: Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosterone system (RAAS).

• Renin
  
• Angiotensin
• Angiotensinogen
  
• Angiotensin I
• Angiotensin II
• Angiotensin (1-7)
• Angiotensin-converting enzyme
• Aldosterone
  

Clinical significance

Pathogenicity

Exploited to facilitate entry into host cells, by pathogens:

• SARS-CoV2
• Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)
  
• Pathophysiology
• SARS-CoV
• Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS)
• HCoV-NL63
  

Related genetic disorders:

• Hartnup disorder

Related medications:

• Angiotensin Converting Enzyme Inhibitors (ACE-Is)
  
• Angiotensin Receptor Blockers (ARBs)

ACE2 is upregulated in patients who take ACE-i / ARB therapies.

New therapeutics

• Recombinant ACE2 may be an effective therapeutic in the management of Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome.

 

Protein profile

• Size (amino acids) = 805
  
• Molecular mass (Daltons) = 92,463
  
• Quaternary structure: Homodimer.
• Protein family = Enzyme > Metalloenzyme (zinc-containing)
  

 

Genetic profile

• Species: Human
• Chromosome: X
• Band: Xp22.2
• Starts at base pair: 15,561,033
• Ends at base pair: 15,602,148
• Sequence length (base pairs): 41,116

 

See also

• genecards.org