Description
ACE-2, also called ACEH (ACE homologue), is an integral membrane protein and a zinc metalloprotease of the ACE family that also includes somatic and germinal ACE.1 The predicted rat ACE-2 protein sequence consists of 805 amino acids, including a N-terminal signal peptide, a single catalytic domain, a C-terminal membrane anchor, and a short cytoplasmic tail. ACE-2 cleaves angiotensins I and II as a carboxypeptidase. ACE-2 mRNA is found at high levels in testis, kidney and heart and at moderate levels in colon, small intestine and ovary. Classical ACE inhibitors such as captopril and lisinopril do not inhibit ACE-2 activity. Novel peptide inhibitors of ACE-2 do not inhibit ACE activity.2 Genetic data from Drosophila, mice and rats show that ACE-2 is an essential regulator of cardiovascular function in vivo.3 In addition, ACE-2 has a critical function in acute lung injury