Trilogy of ACE2: a Peptidase in the Renin-angiotensin System, a SARS Receptor, and a Partner for Amino Acid Transporters

Overview

Journal Pharmacol Ther

Specialty Pharmacology

Date 2010 Jul 6

PMID 20599443

Citations 265

Authors

Keiji Kuba

Yumiko Imai

Takayo Ohto-Nakanishi

Josef M Penninger

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) 2 is a homolog to the carboxypeptidase ACE, which generates angiotensin II, the main active peptide of renin-angiotensin system (RAS). After the cloning of ACE2 in 2000, three major ACE2 functions have been described so far. First ACE2 has emerged as a potent negative regulator of the RAS counterbalancing the multiple functions of ACE. By targeting angiotensin II ACE2 exhibits a protective role in the cardiovascular system and many other organs. Second ACE2 was identified as an essential receptor for the SARS coronavirus that causes severe acute lung failure. Downregulation of ACE2 strongly contributes to the pathogenesis of severe lung failure. Third, both ACE2 and its homologue Collectrin can associate with amino acid transporters and play essential role in the absorption of amino acids in the kidney and gut. In this review, we will discuss the multiple biological functions of ACE2.

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