Angiotensin I-Converting Enzyme

Abstract

Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) represent a paradigm for the complex interplay of environmental risk factors and multiple genetic risk factors. Genetic abnormalities that are disease-causing, however, are less frequent than genetic factors that confer increased risk for CVD. Genetic predisposition for CVD appears to be the end result of cumulative effects of common genetic polymorphisms, which would confer only modestly increased risk when present as a single genetic risk factor. 1 Such cumulative effects may be further modulated by environmental factors. Furthermore, in patients with already diagnosed CVD, the genetic risk factors may influence the patients' response to therapy and diet. 1,2 Polymorphisms of the genes encoding components of the renin-angiotensin system (RAS) represent an area of intense research for cardiovascular disease associations, with promising, although sometimes contradictory reported findings.

Diabetic neuropathy in children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes mellitus: Diagnosis, pathogenesis, and associated genetic markers

“…The angiotensin‐converting enzyme (ACE) controls the rate of conversion of Angiotensin I to Angiotensin II. Apart from being a very potent vasoconstrictor, through the induction of proteolysis of bradykinin 2, Angiotensin II participates in the regulation of glucose and insulin levels. In diabetes, the hyperglycemia‐induced increase of angiotensin II levels has been found to induce oxidative stress, inflammation, damage of endothelial cells, and thrombosis .…”

Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Ins/Del Polymorphism and Body Composition: The Intermediary Role of Hydration Status

“…The angiotensin I-converting enzyme (ACE), a main activator of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system, could exert a potential role in this pathway. ACE is widely known for its role in blood pressure regulation [11] but, because of its wide enzymatic specificity and ubiquitous expression, it represents a pleiotropic candidate gene exerting its role in several physiological pathways [12]. Indeed, ACE is expressed in human adipose tissue [13], and its activity has been related to overweight and body composition [14].…”

“…The ACE Del/Del genotype has been previously associated with higher ACE expression, blood pressure, increased cardiovascular risk, body size, and obesity, respectively [11,15]. Moreover, current evidence suggests a possible role of ACE on sport performances [16] and variable muscle responses to physical training [17].…”

Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms of the Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme (ACE) Gene Are Associated with Essential Hypertension and Increased ACE Enzyme Levels in Mexican Individuals

“…Special attention has been given to the role of genetic variation in genes implicated in the renin-angiotensin system (RAS), particularly the angiotensin-converting enzyme ( ACE ) gene [5], [6]. ACE is a key enzyme in the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone (RAAS) and kalikrein-kinin systems [7], [8] playing a crucial role in blood pressure (BP) regulation and electrolyte balance [9]. The most studied polymorphism in the RAAS system is an insertion or deletion (I/D) of a 287 bp sequence of DNA in intron 16 of the ACE gene.…”