ACE2
Angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2)
Abstract
Since the outbreak of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) 18 years ago, a large number of SARS-related coronaviruses (SARSr-CoVs) have been discovered in their natural reservoir host, bats. Previous studies have shown that some bat SARSr-CoVs have the potential to infect humans. Here we report the identification and characterization of a new coronavirus (2019-nCoV), which caused an epidemic of acute respiratory syndrome in humans in Wuhan, China. The epidemic, which started on 12 December 2019, had caused 2,794 laboratory-confirmed infections including 80 deaths by 26 January 2020. Full-length genome sequences were obtained from five patients at an early stage of the outbreak. The sequences are almost identical and share 79.6% sequence identity to SARS-CoV. Furthermore, we show that 2019-nCoV is 96% identical at the whole-genome level to a bat coronavirus.
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Notably, we confirmed that 2019-nCoV uses the same cell entry receptor — angiotensin converting enzyme II (ACE2) — as SARS-CoV.
Source: Zheng-Li Shi et. al.A pneumonia outbreak associated with a new coronavirus of probable bat origin 3 February 2020 (Updated 17 November 2020) (emphasis added)
Dr Zheng-Li Shi is the director of the Center for Emerging Infectious Diseases, at the Wuhan Institute of Virology. Although some data in this report is controversial, other researchers have since confirmed that the SARS-CoV-2 virus, as it is officially named, uses angiotensin converting enzyme II (ACE2) receptors as the entry point and subsequently replicates causing the disease COVID-19.
But what is COVID-19? How does the disease progress? Why do some people die? Could some of those deaths have been prevented? And although vaccines are proving to be effective, why do some people experience serious side effects and even death?
Could the ACE2 receptors be a common factor? The truth is yes. Without doubt.
As I have no medical qualifications, I have searched for explanations from experts: some are below, and others are in related articles with links here for convenience:-
- ACE2 and COVID-19
- ACE2 and Vaccines, and
- ACE2 and early treatment
Grant
August 2021
What is Angiotensin?
Angiotensin is the common name of four hormones: angiotensin I-IV, which play an important role in the body’s overall health and blood pressure regulation, specifically. Learning how angiotensin functions will help you better understand your health.
Angiotensin consists of a group of hormones that are part of the renin-angiotensin system. To create angiotensin, the liver first creates a protein called angiotensinogen. This protein is broken up by renin, which comes from the kidney. This forms angiotensin I. Angiotensin I passes through the bloodstream, where it turns into angiotensin II, which is the primary form of the hormone that affects blood pressure and other areas of the body.
Source: Home Health Network What is Angiotensin?
What is the Renin–Angiotensin System (RAS)?
A growing body of evidence supports the premise that deficiencies of zinc and angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2, a zinc enzyme) determine severity of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). ACE2 is part of the renin–angiotensin system (RAS) and acts as a feedback control system moderating blood pressure, keeping blood pressure within normal limits. For a virus to infect a person, the virus has to get inside the person’s cells. The virus that causes COVID-19 uses ACE2 to get into the cell. Think of this like an invader from outer space attacking your car by getting in through your cruise control; the RAS is like the cruise control of your car. What happens next depends on how robust your cruise control is. If your cruise control is young and healthy perhaps very little happens; your car may slow down or speed up a bit. But if your cruise control is in poor condition the attack might disrupt the entire speed control system; your car may brake suddenly or speed out of control and crash. Feedback control systems (natural or man-made) are designed to keep dynamic systems in control, but under certain situations can drive the system completely out of control. The RAS is composed of two feedback loops: the ACE loop provides amplification, increasing pro-inflammatory cytokines and blood pressure; the ACE2 loop provides fine control and mitigates the vasoconstrictive, pro-inflammatory, and thrombotic actions of the ACE loop. Usually, there is balance, but in the setting of COVID-19, underlying deficiencies of zinc and ACE2 can lead to an imbalance. Exacerbated by the severe downregulation of ACE2 seen with viral entry, a “tipping point” is reached with loss of control of the RAS system resulting in increased angiotensin II (Ang II) causing downstream vasoconstriction, inflammation, and thromboses. These, in turn, lead to complications often seen in “severe COVID-19” such as acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) or cytokine storm, often seen in high-risk patients in the second week of illness.
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Source: Salgo MP. _Zinc and Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme 2 (ACE2) Deficiencies as Determinants of Risk and Severity of Disease: A Narrative Review Infect Dis Ther. 2021;10(3):1215-1225. doi:10.1007/s40121-021-00478-8 Copyright © The Author(s) 2021
How is ACE2 linked to COVID-19, Vaccines and Early Treatment?
For more in-depth information please navigate to each of the following articles:-
- ACE2 and COVID-19
- ACE2 and Vaccines, and
- ACE2 and early treatment
