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- Title
What’s new in the renin-angiotensin system?
- Authors
Danilczyk, U.; Eriksson, U.; Oudit, G. Y.; Penninger, J. M.
- Abstract
Angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) is a recently discovered homologue of the key enzyme of the renin-angiotensin system, the angiotensin-converting enzyme. The ACE2 enzyme is mainly expressed in cardiac blood vessels and tubular epithelia of the kidneys. Together with ACE2’s unique metallocarboxypeptidase activity, the restricted tissue distribution suggests a distinctive physiological function in blood pressure, blood flow and fluid regulation. Theace2gene was mapped to quantitative trait loci affecting susceptibility to hypertension in rats. Furthermore, ACE2 appears to be a negative regulator of ACE in the heart. ACE2 messenger RNA and protein levels are substantially regulated in the kidney of diabetic and pregnant rats. The mechanism of ACE2 function and its physiologic significance are not yet fully understood; however, as ACE2 differs in its specificity and physiological role from ACE, this opens a new potential venue for drug discovery aimed at cardiovascular disease, hypertension and diabetic complications.
- Publication
Cellular & Molecular Life Sciences, 2004, Vol 61, Issue 21, p2714
- ISSN
1420-682X
- Publication type
Academic Journal
- DOI
10.1007/s00018-004-4241-6