Editing Angiotensin-converting enzyme (section)

== Function ==
ACE hydrolyzes peptides by the removal of a dipeptide from the C-terminus. Likewise it converts the inactive decapeptide [[Angiotensin|angiotensin I]] to the octapeptide [[Angiotensin|angiotensin II]] by removing the dipeptide His-Leu.<ref>{{cite journal |vauthors=Coates D |title=The angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) |journal=The International Journal of Biochemistry & Cell Biology |volume=35 |issue=6 |pages=769–773 |date=June 2003 |pmid=12676162 |doi=10.1016/S1357-2725(02)00309-6 |series=Renin–Angiotensin Systems: State of the Art}}</ref>
[[File:ACE mechanism.png|thumb|center|400px|Proposed ACE catalytic mechanism]]

ACE is a central component of the [[renin–angiotensin system]] (RAS), which controls blood pressure by regulating the volume of fluids in the body.
[[Image:Renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system.svg|thumb|center|Schematic diagram of the [[renin–angiotensin–aldosterone system]]|400px]]

[[Angiotensin|Angiotensin II]] is a potent [[vasoconstrictor]] in a substrate concentration-dependent manner.<ref name="pmid10790312">{{cite journal |vauthors=Zhang R, Xu X, Chen T, Li L, Rao P |title=An assay for angiotensin-converting enzyme using capillary zone electrophoresis |journal=Analytical Biochemistry |volume=280 |issue=2 |pages=286–290 |date=May 2000 |pmid=10790312 |doi=10.1006/abio.2000.4535|doi-access=free }}</ref> Angiotensin II binds to the [[Angiotensin II receptor type 1|type 1 angiotensin II receptor (AT1)]], which sets off a number of actions that result in vasoconstriction and therefore increased blood pressure.
[[File:Renin-angiotensin system in man shadow.svg|thumb|center|Anatomical diagram of the renin–angiotensin system, showing the role of ACE at the lungs<ref name="Boron_2005">{{cite book |title=Medical Physiology: a Cellular and Molecular Approach |date=2005 |publisher=Elsevier Saunders |location=Philadelphia, PA |isbn=978-1-4160-2328-9 |pages=866–867 |chapter=Integration of Salt and Water Balance}}</ref>]]

ACE is also part of the [[kinin–kallikrein system]] where it degrades [[bradykinin]], a potent [[vasodilator]], and other vasoactive peptides.<ref name="pmid14757781">{{cite journal |vauthors=Imig JD |title=ACE Inhibition and Bradykinin-Mediated Renal Vascular Responses: EDHF Involvement |journal=Hypertension |volume=43 |issue=3 |pages=533–535 |date=March 2004 |pmid=14757781 |doi=10.1161/01.HYP.0000118054.86193.ce |doi-access=free}}</ref>

Kininase II is the same as angiotensin-converting enzyme. Thus, the same enzyme (ACE) that generates a vasoconstrictor (ANG II) also disposes of vasodilators (bradykinin).<ref name = "Boron_2005"/>