The role of Angiotensin-converting enzyme in blood pressure control, renal function, and male fertility.
Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) is a zinc peptidase that plays a major role in the renin-angiotensin system. In mammals, the enzyme is present as two isozymes: a somatic form involved in blood-pressure regulation and a testis form of unknown function. Mice lacking ACE have been created and shown to have low systolic blood pressures and defects in renal development and function. These mice also have reduced male fertility, implicating the testis isozyme in reproductive function. (Trends Endocrinol Metab 1997;8:181-186). (c) 1997, Elsevier Science Inc.
Esther
C R
CR
Department of Pathology, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia 30322, USA.
Marino
E M
EM
Bernstein
K E
KE