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Angiotensin-converting enzyme 2
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<p>Angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) is an <a href="/facts/Enzyme/DSI1Fh7y">enzyme</a> that can be found either attached to the <a href="/facts/Cell_membrane/vAXSD0DT">membrane</a> of cells (mACE2) in the <a href="/facts/Intestines/nK2zwqBS">intestines</a>, <a href="/facts/Kidney/HBspPrv9">kidney</a>, <a href="/facts/Testis/Doy40hoq">testis</a>, <a href="/facts/Gallbladder/RPdkQzQM">gallbladder</a>, and <a href="/facts/Heart/fF4KSGdk">heart</a> or in a soluble form (sACE2). Both membrane bound and soluble ACE2 are integral parts of the <a href="/facts/Renin%E2%80%93angiotensin%E2%80%93aldosterone_system/9XLt8PQL">renin–angiotensin–aldosterone system</a> (RAAS) that exists to keep the body's blood pressure in check. mACE2 is cleaved by the enzyme ADAM17 in a process regulated by <a href="/facts/Substrate_presentation/UETq4vhX">substrate presentation</a>. ADAM17 cleavage releases the extracellular domain creating soluble ACE2 (sACE2). ACE2 enzyme activity opposes the classical arm of the RAAS by lowering blood pressure through catalyzing the <a href="/facts/Hydrolysis/JTvwIHPs">hydrolysis</a> of <a href="/facts/Angiotensin_II/Aky7PMMX">angiotensin II</a> (a <a href="/facts/Vasoconstrictor/9hdY0aR2">vasoconstrictor</a> <a href="/facts/Peptide/C4ltc7UG">peptide</a> which raises blood pressure) into <a href="/facts/Angiotensin_(1-7)/mbEwzja0">angiotensin (1–7)</a> (a <a href="/facts/Vasodilator/cjzrU8Ro">vasodilator</a>). Angiotensin (1-7) in turns binds to MasR receptors creating localized vasodilation and hence decreasing blood pressure. This decrease in blood pressure makes the entire process a promising drug target for treating <a href="/facts/Cardiovascular_disease/HD420nMv">cardiovascular diseases</a>. </p><p>mACE2 also serves as the entry point into cells for some <a href="/facts/Coronaviruses/LvV5mvl9">coronaviruses</a>, including <a href="/facts/HCoV-NL63/Po6gWFIf">HCoV-NL63</a>, <a href="/facts/SARS-CoV/jXYCe6w5">SARS-CoV</a>, and <a href="/facts/SARS-CoV-2/DxF8rDc1">SARS-CoV-2</a>. The SARS-CoV-2 spike protein itself is known to damage the <a href="/facts/Endothelium/L4ENFVnw">endothelium</a> via <a href="/facts/Downregulation_and_upregulation/6nRoa28r">downregulation</a> of ACE2. The human version of the enzyme can be referred to as hACE2. </p>