<unk>  <unk>  is an<unk>  that can be found either attached to the membrane of cells (mACE2) in the intestines, kidney, testis, gallbladder, and heart or in a soluble form (sACE2). Both membrane bound and soluble<unk>  are integral parts of the renin–angiotensin–aldosterone system (RAAS) that exists to keep the body's blood pressure in check. While mACE2 does not appear to factor into the harmful phase of RAAS (the increase of blood pressure), its existence is vital in order for the<unk>  ADAM17 to cleave its extracellular domain to create soluble<unk>  (sACE2). Soluble<unk>  lowers blood pressure by catalyzing the hydrolysis of<unk>  II (a vasoconstrictor peptide) into<unk>  (1–7) (a vasodilator) which in turns binds to MasR receptors creating localized vasodilation and hence decreasing blood pressure. This decrease in blood pressure makes the entire process a promising drug target for treating cardiovascular diseases. mACE2 also serves as the entry point into cells for some coronaviruses, including HCoV-NL63, SARS-CoV, and SARS-CoV-2. The SARS-CoV-2 spike protein itself is known to damage the endothelium via downregulation of<unk> . The human version of the<unk>  can be referred to as hACE2.
Angiotensin-converting enzyme 2
Prostaglandin-endoperoxide synthase 2
Haptocorrin
Calcitonin gene-related peptide
Indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase
Immunoevasin
Tetanospasmin
Beta-secretase 1