84 by: Chukwuemeka Muotolu

Student –  Chukwuemeka Kingsley Muotolu

Name of Enzyme & E.C. number – Angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2); E.C. Number: 3.4.17.23

Where is the Enzyme Found? ACE2 is a membrane-bound enzyme predominantly expressed in the cells of the heart, lungs, kidneys, and gastrointestinal tract. It is notably present on the surface of epithelial cells in the alveoli of the lungs and enterocytes of the small intestine. It is also found in endothelial cells and arterial smooth muscle cells throughout the body.

What does the enzyme do? ACE2 plays a crucial role in the renin-angiotensin system, regulating blood pressure by converting angiotensin II (a peptide that narrows blood vessels and raises blood pressure) into angiotensin-(1–7), a peptide which has vasodilatory effects and anti-inflammatory properties. This mechanism is essential for maintaining cardiovascular homeostasis and protecting against hypertension and organ damage.

Interesting Facts or Important Information
•ACE2 serves as the entry point for the SARS-CoV-2 virus (which causes COVID-19) into human cells. The virus’s spike protein binds to ACE2, easing infection.
•Due to its role in cardiovascular diseases and viral infections, ACE2 is a potential target for therapeutic interventions.
•ACE2 expression can be influenced by factors such as age, sex, and the use of certain medications like ACE inhibitors and angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs).

 

 

References
•Donoghue, M., Hsieh, F., Baronas, E., Godbout, K., Gosselin, M., Stagliano, N., Donovan, M., Woolf, B., Robinson, K., Jeyaseelan, R., & Acton, S. (2000). A novel angiotensin-converting enzyme–related carboxypeptidase (ACE2) converts angiotensin I to angiotensin 1–9. Circulation Research, 87(5), e1–e9. https://doi.org/10.1161/01.RES.87.5.e1
•Kuba, K., Imai, Y., Rao, S., Gao, H., Guo, F., Guan, B., Huan, Y., Yang, P., Zhang, Y., Deng, W., Bao, L., Zhang, B., Liu, G., Wang, Z., Chappell, M. C., Liu, Y., Zheng, D., Leibbrandt, A., Wada, T., … Penninger, J. M. (2005). A crucial role of angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) in SARS coronavirus–induced lung injury. Nature Medicine, 11(8), 875–879. https://doi.org/10.1038/nm1267
•Hoffmann, M., Kleine-Weber, H., Schroeder, S., Krüger, N., Herrler, T., Erichsen, S., Schiergens, T. S., Herrler, G., Wu, N. H., Nitsche, A., Müller, M. A., Drosten, C., & Pöhlmann, S. (2020). SARS-CoV-2 cell entry depends on ACE2 and TMPRSS2 and is blocked by a clinically proven protease inhibitor. Cell, 181(2), 271–280.e8. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cell.2020.02.052

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