Angiotensin-converting enzyme

Angiotensin - converting enzyme (English angiotensin converting enzyme, ACE short ) (synonym kininase II) is an enzyme that is in the maintenance of blood pressure and the control of the water - electrolyte balance is of great importance.

Isoform, the alpha- ACE, is mainly found on the surface of endothelial cells of the lung vessels. Beta -and gamma -ACE can be found in the endothelium of the renal vessels. ACE could also be detected in fibroblasts, monocytes, macrophages, sperm cells and nerve cells.

ACE has the properties of a peptidase, and converts in the renin-angiotensin -aldosterone system and the peptide prohormone angiotensin I by elimination of the two C -terminal amino acid in the hormone angiotensin II to. This has a strong vasoconstrictor ( pressor ). ACE increased in this way indirectly blood pressure. ACE supports this function by cleavage of the two carbon terminal amino acids of Gewebshormons bradykinin, resulting in its inactivation.

Medical importance

ACE inhibitors are used in the treatment of arterial hypertension and heart failure. They form, with a turnover of approximately 1.9 billion EUR / year ( 2008) the most profitable pharmaceutical group in Germany.

Elevated levels of ACE may be an indication of sarcoidosis.

Protein isoform Human Genome Organisation MEROPS Protease Renin–angiotensin system Angiotensin#Angiotensin II
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