title: Not just angiotensinases: new roles for the angiotensin-converting enzymes.
abstract: The renin-angiotensin system (RAS) is a critical regulator of blood pressure and fluid homeostasis. Angiotensin II, the primary bioactive peptide of the RAS, is generated from angiotensin I by angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE). A homologue of ACE, ACE2, is able to convert angiotensin II to a peptide with opposing effects, angiotensin-(1-7). It is proposed that disturbance of the balance of ACE and ACE2 expression and/or function is important in pathologies in which angiotensin II plays a role. These include cardiovascular and renal disease, lung injury and liver fibrosis. The critical roles of ACE and ACE2 in regulating angiotensin II levels have traditionally focussed attention on their activities as angiotensinases. Recent discoveries, however, have illuminated the roles of these enzymes and of the ACE2 homologue, collectrin, in intracellular trafficking and signalling. This paper reviews the key literature regarding both the catalytic and non-catalytic roles of the angiotensin-converting enzyme gene family.
authors.affiliation: Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health, University of Sheffield, S10 2TA, Sheffield, UK. d.w.lambert@sheffield.ac.uk
authors.forename: Daniel W
authors.initials: DW
authors.lastname: Lambert
authors.forename: Nicola E
authors.initials: NE
authors.lastname: Clarke
authors.forename: Anthony J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Turner
mesh_terms: D000804:Angiotensin II / Q000378:metabolism; D000085962:Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme 2; D006801:Humans; D007328:Insulin / Q000378:metabolism; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins / Q000378:metabolism; D007703:Peptidyl-Dipeptidase A / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D011991:Receptors, Virus / Q000378:metabolism; D012084:Renin-Angiotensin System / Q000502:physiology; D015398:Signal Transduction
chemical_list: C429534:CLTRN protein, human; D007328:Insulin; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins; D011991:Receptors, Virus; D000804:Angiotensin II; D007703:Peptidyl-Dipeptidase A; C000705307:ACE2 protein, human; D000085962:Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme 2