Open AccessThe Significance of Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme-2 (ACE2) in SARSCov- 2 Infection and COVID-19
Author(s) -
Carolina Baraldi Araújo Restini,
Belavek Trevor,
Bernal Rafael,
Ibrahim Vanessa,
Irwin Kelly,
Minjung Kim,
Courtney Merlo
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
coronaviruses
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 2666-7975
pISSN - 2666-7967
DOI - 10.2174/2666796701999201218141035
Subject(s) - angiotensin converting enzyme 2 , coronavirus , virology , pathogenesis , pneumonia , virus , immunology , renin–angiotensin system , coronaviridae , pandemic , biology , disease , medicine , covid-19 , infectious disease (medical specialty) , blood pressure
: The new coronavirus was first reported in 2019 (China) and officially announced by theWorld Health Organization as a pandemic in March 2020. Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus2 (SARS-CoV-2) is the causative agent of the pneumonia-associated illnesses and sharesstructural homology with the related Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-1 (SARS-CoV--1). One of the mechanisms for SARS-Cov-1 and -2 infection is mediated by the angiotensin-convertingenzyme-2 (ACE2) cell receptor, enabling the virus to enter the host cells. ACE2 is an isoformof the angiotensin-converting enzyme 1 (ACE). The actions of ACE2 counterbalance the classicrenin-angiotensin system (RAS) axis through the production of Ang 1-7, which promotes cardiovascular,renal, and lung-protective effects. The ACE2 is not the only route for SARS-CoV-2 toenter the host cells. However, due to its roles in the RAS and its participation in the SARS-CoV-2virulence, ACE2 has gained attention regarding viral mechanisms of pathogenesis, effects of drugsthat interfere with the RAS, and as a potential target for therapeutic strategies for the damagescaused by SARS-CoV-2 infection. Among other tissues, ACE2 gene expression seems to be increasedin the lungs upon SARS-CoV-2 infection; however, amid other variables, expressionand/or activity of ACE2 is shown as a disease, sex, and age-dependent. The present review coverscritical aspects for a comprehensive understanding of ACE2 and its current involvement in SARSCoV-2 infection and the development of COVID-19.