Discovery and characterization of ACE2 – a 20-year journey of surprises from vasopeptidase to COVID-19

• Published in: Clinical science (1979) Vol. 134; no. 18; pp. 2489 - 2501
• Main Authors: Hooper, Nigel M., Lambert, Daniel W., Turner, Anthony J.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England 30.09.2020
• Subjects: Angiotensin II - drug effects; Angiotensin II - metabolism; Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme 2; Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors - pharmacology; Betacoronavirus - pathogenicity; Coronavirus Infections - drug therapy; Coronavirus Infections - metabolism; Coronavirus Infections - virology; COVID-19; Humans; Pandemics; Peptidyl-Dipeptidase A - metabolism; Pneumonia, Viral - drug therapy; Pneumonia, Viral - metabolism; Pneumonia, Viral - virology; Renin-Angiotensin System - drug effects; Renin-Angiotensin System - physiology; SARS-CoV-2; Vasoconstrictor Agents - pharmacology; COVID-19; SARS; coronavirus; metalloproteases; angiotensin converting enzyme 2; renin-angiotensin system

Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) is a zinc membrane metallopeptidase that plays a key role in regulating vasoactive peptide levels and hence cardiovascular activity through its conversion of angiotensin I (Ang I) to Ang II and its metabolism of bradykinin. The discovery of its homologue, ACE2, 20...