Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
Pivot Concepts:   Target Concepts:
Query: EC:3.4.24.B1 (angiotensin-converting enzyme 2)
 1,025 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

In the classical renin angiotensin system (RAS), angiotensin II Ang IIplays many important roles in cardiovascular disease and in kidney, brain, and other organs via the Ang II type 1 receptor (AT1). The RAS consists of many angiotensin peptides, including Ang (1-7), Ang (1-9), Ang (2-8), and Ang IV. Ang (1-7), produced by angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), has received attention because ACE2-deficient mice have heart failure. In addition, the proto-oncogene mas and insulin regulatory aminopeptidase (IRAP) have been identified as receptors for Ang (1-7) and Ang IV, respectively, accelerating investigations into both peptides. Many groups have suggested that the ACE2/Ang (1-7)/mas axis results in beneficial effects in cardiovascular disease, renal damage, and glucose intolerance and plays an independent role in kidney disease and glucose metabolism. On the other hand, Ang IV/IRAP strongly influences memory disturbance and protects against brain ischemia. Finally, the classical RAS-ACE/Ang II/AT1 axis blockade yields beneficial effects in the context of organ damage, and additional modulation of ACE2/Ang (1-7)/mas or angiotensin IV/IRAP with this blockade results in even greater improvement. In the near future, new treatments targeting RAS and using new angiotensin peptide players might be developed for managing lifestyle-related diseases.
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PMID:Angiotensin (1-7) and other angiotensin peptides. 2317 20

Since the classic experiments by Tigerstedt and Bergman that established the role of renin in hypertension a century ago, aggressive efforts have been launched to effectively block the renin-angiotensin system (RAS). Blockade of RAS is advocated at multiple levels by direct renin inhibitor, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor and/or angiotensin II type 1 receptor blocker, or aldosterone inhibitor (spironolactone), and has now become part of the standard of care to control hypertension and related metabolic diseases including diabetes. However, recent lessons learned from randomized clinical trials question the wisdom of blocking RAS at multiple levels. In this context, it is highly pertinent that components of RAS are evolutionarily conserved, and novel physiological/adaptive/protective roles for renin and angiotensin-converting enzyme are currently emerging. Angiotensin II, the classical RAS effector peptide responsible for hypertension, hypertrophy, fluid retention and fibrosis, manifests its cardiovascular protective effect when it activates the angiotensin II type 2 receptor. Additionally, angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 and the angiotensin II metabolite Ang-(1-7) that acts through the Mas proto-oncogene constitute the cardiovascular and renal protective branch of RAS. It is conceivable that modulating this vasodilative/anti-inflammatory branch of RAS by activation of the RAS components that constitute this branch may offer a safer long-term treatment strategy to balance RAS activity and achieve homeostasis compared to chronic multilevel RAS inhibition.
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PMID:RAS-Mediated Adaptive Mechanisms in Cardiovascular Tissues: Confounding Factors of RAS Blockade Therapy and Alternative Approaches. 2338 10

The renin-angiotensin system is an important component of the cardiovascular system. Mounting evidence suggests that the metabolic products of angiotensin I and II - initially thought to be biologically inactive - have key roles in cardiovascular physiology and pathophysiology. This non-canonical axis of the renin-angiotensin system consists of angiotensin 1-7, angiotensin 1-9, angiotensin-converting enzyme 2, the type 2 angiotensin II receptor (AT2R), the proto-oncogene Mas receptor and the Mas-related G protein-coupled receptor member D. Each of these components has been shown to counteract the effects of the classical renin-angiotensin system. This counter-regulatory renin-angiotensin system has a central role in the pathogenesis and development of various cardiovascular diseases and, therefore, represents a potential therapeutic target. In this Review, we provide the latest insights into the complexity and interplay of the components of the non-canonical renin-angiotensin system, and discuss the function and therapeutic potential of targeting this system to treat cardiovascular disease.
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PMID:Counter-regulatory renin-angiotensin system in cardiovascular disease. 3142 27