====== Angiotensin-converting enzyme ======

[[Angiotensin]]-converting enzyme (EC 3.4.15.1), or [[ACE]], is a central component of the [[renin-angiotensin system]] (RAS), which controls [[blood pressure]] by regulating the volume of [[fluid]]s in the body. It converts the hormone angiotensin I to the active [[vasoconstrictor]] angiotensin II. Therefore, ACE indirectly increases [[blood pressure]] by causing [[blood vessel]]s to constrict. [[Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor]]s are widely used as pharmaceutical drugs for the treatment of cardiovascular diseases.

The enzyme was discovered by Leonard T. Skeggs Jr. in 1956.

It is located mainly in the capillaries of the lungs but can also be found in endothelial and kidney epithelial cells.

Other less-known functions of ACE are the degradation of bradykinin and amyloid beta-protein.
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see [[Angiotensin converting enzyme polymorphism]]s.
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Serum angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE): abnormally elevated in 83% of patients with active
pulmonary [[sarcoidosis]], but in only 11% with inactive disease
((Rohrbach MS, DeRemee RA. Pulmonary Sarcoidosis and Serum Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme. Mayo Clin Proc. 1982; 57:64–66)).
False-positive rate: 2–3%; may also be elevated in primary biliary cirrhosis.

===== Angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 =====

[[Angiotensin-converting enzyme 2]]