ACE2
GeneName
ACE2
Summary
ACE2, also known as angiotensin converting enzyme 2 or hACE2, is a 92 kDa type I membrane protein expressed in various tissues, including the lungs, heart, kidneys, and intestines. It is primarily localised to the apical plasma membrane and plays a crucial role in the renin-angiotensin system by converting angiotensin II to angiotensin-(1-7), thereby counteracting the effects of angiotensin II. ACE2 exhibits carboxypeptidase and endopeptidase activities, and it serves as a receptor for SARS-CoV-2, facilitating viral entry into host cells. Additionally, it is involved in various biological processes such as blood vessel diameter maintenance, regulation of blood pressure, and modulation of inflammatory responses.
Importance
ACE2 is relevant to: - COVID-19 research due to its role as the entry receptor for SARS-CoV-2, making it a target for therapeutic intervention - Cardiovascular studies as it regulates blood pressure and cardiac function, contributing to heart health - Investigations into renal function and diseases, given its expression in the kidneys and involvement in kidney pathophysiology - Studies on inflammation and tissue repair due to its regulatory effects on cytokine production and inflammatory responses
Top Products
For researchers investigating ACE2, we recommend two excellent primary antibodies that cater to a variety of applications. The first is the well-cited polyclonal antibody, Anti-ACE2 antibody (ab15348), which has garnered 294 citations, highlighting its reliability in Western blotting (WB) and immunohistochemistry (IHC). Additionally, we offer the recombinant antibody, Anti-ACE2 antibody [EPR4435(2)] (ab108252), which has been validated in knockout models and is suitable for an expanded range of applications, including WB, IHC, ELISA, and immunoprecipitation (IP). With 185 citations, this recombinant antibody is an excellent choice for researchers seeking consistent performance across experiments. The ACE2 peptide ELISA Kit (ab198988), supported by 1 citation, offers a reliable option for researchers looking to measure ACE2 levels in their samples.
Abcam Product Citation Summary
The data indicates a significant focus on the role of ACE2 in various human studies, particularly in the context of SARS-CoV-2 infection and its mechanisms. The use of Abcam antibodies in both Western blotting and immunohistochemistry highlights the importance of ACE2 in respiratory and pancreatic tissues, as well as its involvement in viral entry and microvasculature studies. Additionally, there is research on ACE2 in relation to patient prognosis in breast cancer and its regulation in response to inflammatory conditions.
Abcam Product Citation Table
Domain
The extracellular region of the ACE2 enzyme is composed of two domains. The first is a zinc metallopeptidase domain (residues 19-611). The second domain is located at the C-terminus (residues 612-740) and is 48% identical to human collectrin.
The cytoplasmic tail contains several linear motifs such as LIR, PDZ-binding, PTB and endocytic sorting signal motifs that would allow interaction with proteins that mediate endocytic trafficking and autophagy.
Function
Essential counter-regulatory carboxypeptidase of the renin-angiotensin hormone system that is a critical regulator of blood volume, systemic vascular resistance, and thus cardiovascular homeostasis (PubMed:27217402). Converts angiotensin I to angiotensin 1-9, a nine-amino acid peptide with anti-hypertrophic effects in cardiomyocytes, and angiotensin II to angiotensin 1-7, which then acts as a beneficial vasodilator and anti-proliferation agent, counterbalancing the actions of the vasoconstrictor angiotensin II (PubMed:10924499, PubMed:10969042, PubMed:11815627, PubMed:14504186, PubMed:19021774). Also removes the C-terminal residue from three other vasoactive peptides, neurotensin, kinetensin, and des-Arg bradykinin, but is not active on bradykinin (PubMed:10969042, PubMed:11815627). Also cleaves other biological peptides, such as apelins (apelin-13, [Pyr1]apelin-13, apelin-17, apelin-36), casomorphins (beta-casomorphin-7, neocasomorphin) and dynorphin A with high efficiency (PubMed:11815627, PubMed:27217402, PubMed:28293165). In addition, ACE2 C-terminus is homologous to collectrin and is responsible for the trafficking of the neutral amino acid transporter SL6A19 to the plasma membrane of gut epithelial cells via direct interaction, regulating its expression on the cell surface and its catalytic activity (PubMed:18424768, PubMed:19185582).
(Microbial infection) Acts as a receptor for human coronaviruses SARS-CoV and SARS-CoV-2, as well as human coronavirus NL63/HCoV-NL63.
Isoform 2
Non-functional as a carboxypeptidase.
Isoform 2
(Microbial infection) Non-functional as a receptor for human coronavirus SARS-CoV-2.
Post-translational modifications
N-glycosylation on Asn-90 may limit SARS infectivity.
Proteolytic cleavage by ADAM17 generates a secreted form (PubMed:15983030, PubMed:33713620). Also cleaved by serine proteases: TMPRSS2, TMPRSS11D and HPN/TMPRSS1.
Phosphorylated. Phosphorylation at Tyr-781 probably inhibits interaction with AP2M1 and enables interactions with proteins containing SH2 domains.
Ubiquitinated. Ubiquitinated on Lys-788 via 'Lys-48'-linked ubiquitin (PubMed:36876523). 'Lys-48'-linked deubiquitinated by USP50 on the Lys-788; leading to its stabilization (PubMed:36876523).
Sequence Similarities
Belongs to the peptidase M2 family.
Tissue Specificity
Expressed in endothelial cells from small and large arteries, and in arterial smooth muscle cells (at protein level) (PubMed:15141377). Expressed in enterocytes of the small intestine, Leydig cells and Sertoli cells (at protein level) (PubMed:15141377). Expressed in the renal proximal tubule and the small intestine (at protein level) (PubMed:18424768). Expressed in heart, kidney, testis, and gastrointestinal system (at protein level) (PubMed:10924499, PubMed:10969042, PubMed:12459472, PubMed:15231706, PubMed:15671045, PubMed:32170560, PubMed:32715618). In lung, expressed at low levels in some alveolar type 2 cells, the expression seems to be individual-specific (at protein level) (PubMed:15141377, PubMed:32170560, PubMed:32425701, PubMed:32715618, PubMed:33432184). Expressed in nasal epithelial cells (at protein level) (PubMed:32333915, PubMed:33432184). Coexpressed with TMPRSS2 within some lung alveolar type 2 cells, ileal absorptive enterocytes, intestinal epithelial cells, cornea, gallbladder and nasal goblet secretory cells (PubMed:32327758, PubMed:32358202, PubMed:32413319). Coexpressed with TMPRSS4 within mature enterocytes (PubMed:32404436).
Isoform 2
Expressed in nasal and bronchial epithelial cells (at protein level).
Cellular localization
- Processed angiotensin-converting enzyme 2
- Secreted
- Cell membrane
- Single-pass type I membrane protein
- Cytoplasm
- Cell projection
- Cilium
- Apical cell membrane
- Detected in both cell membrane and cytoplasm in neurons.
- Isoform 2
- Apical cell membrane
Alternative names
UNQ868/PRO1885, ACE2, Angiotensin-converting enzyme 2, Angiotensin-converting enzyme homolog, Angiotensin-converting enzyme-related carboxypeptidase, Metalloprotease MPROT15, ACEH, ACE-related carboxypeptidase