ACE2
ACE2 (angiotensin converting enzyme 2, also known as ACEH) is a member of the peptidase M2 family that processes angiotensin peptides. It is also a functional receptor for the spike glycoprotein of several human coronaviruses, including SARS-CoV-2. Browse Assay Genie's current range of ACE2 research reagents below, or read on for the biology behind the target.
ACE2 belongs to the angiotensin-converting enzyme family of dipeptidyl carboxydipeptidases. The secreted protein catalyses the cleavage of angiotensin I into angiotensin 1-9, and of angiotensin II into the vasodilator angiotensin 1-7. Through these reactions it acts within the angiotensin pathway, and its organ- and cell-specific expression suggests a role in regulating cardiovascular and renal function, as well as fertility.
The ACE2 gene encodes a protein with considerable homology to human angiotensin 1 converting enzyme (ACE) and is classed in the peptidase M2 family. ACE2 is known to be expressed in various human organs. UniProt records the protein in several compartments: it is secreted and also found at the cell membrane, including the apical cell membrane, as well as in the cytoplasm and in cilia. Orthologous genes, named Ace2, are present in mouse and rat. Multiple splice variants have been described for the gene, and the dACE2 (or MIRb-ACE2) variant has been found to be interferon inducible.
Beyond its enzymatic role, ACE2 is a functional receptor for the spike glycoprotein of the human coronavirus HCoV-NL63 and of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronaviruses SARS-CoV and SARS-CoV-2, the causative agent of coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19). This dual identity, as a regulator of angiotensin peptides and as a viral entry receptor, makes the ACE2 protein a frequent subject in cardiovascular, renal and infectious disease research. The gene was previously named angiotensin I converting enzyme 2 and angiotensin I converting enzyme (peptidyl-dipeptidase A) 2, and the symbol ACEH appears in older literature.
ACE2 converts angiotensin I to angiotensin 1-9 and angiotensin II to the vasodilator angiotensin 1-7, placing it within the angiotensin peptide pathway.
ACE2 is a functional receptor for the spike glycoprotein of HCoV-NL63, SARS-CoV and SARS-CoV-2, the causative agent of COVID-19.
Organ- and cell-specific expression of ACE2 suggests a role in regulating cardiovascular and renal function.
ACE2 expression has been linked to fertility, and the interferon-inducible dACE2 splice variant is a focus for studying transcript diversity.
ACE2 is a peptidase that cleaves angiotensin I into angiotensin 1-9 and angiotensin II into the vasodilator angiotensin 1-7. It is also a functional receptor for the spike glycoprotein of HCoV-NL63, SARS-CoV and SARS-CoV-2. Its expression pattern suggests roles in cardiovascular and renal function and fertility.
The HGNC name is angiotensin converting enzyme 2, with the alias ACEH. Previous names include angiotensin I converting enzyme 2 and angiotensin I converting enzyme (peptidyl-dipeptidase A) 2. Multiple splice variants exist, and the dACE2 (MIRb-ACE2) variant is interferon inducible.
Mouse and rat both have an orthologous Ace2 gene; check the datasheet of any product for its validated reactivity. In humans, ACE2 is the receptor exploited by SARS-CoV-2, the causative agent of COVID-19, and is studied in cardiovascular and renal regulation.
Other angiotensin-converting enzyme family members and neighbouring enzyme and signalling targets with products at Assay Genie.
Gene and protein annotations from HGNC, NCBI Gene and UniProt Q9BYF1; product specifications from Assay Genie datasheets.