Angiotensin-converting Enzymes

Angiotensin-converting enzymes (ACE and ACE2) are zinc metallopeptidases that regulate the renin-angiotensin system at two opposing nodes. Somatic ACE (ACE1) removes a C-terminal dipeptide from angiotensin I to generate the vasoconstrictor angiotensin II, and also inactivates bradykinin, tying the enzyme to blood pressure control, vascular remodeling, and fibrosis. ACE2, in contrast, cleaves angiotensin II into angiotensin-(1-7), opposing ACE1 output, and additionally serves as the functional receptor for SARS-CoV and SARS-CoV-2. The two enzymes are broadly studied in hypertension, heart failure, and lung injury, and recombinant ACE/ACE2 proteins are widely used in substrate assays and inhibitor profiling.