Angiotensin converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) is an exopeptidase that catalyses the conversion of angiotensin I to the nonapeptide angiotensin[1-9], or the conversion of angiotensin II to angiotensin 1-7. ACE2 has direct effects on cardiac function,a and is expressed predominantly in vascular endothelial cells of the heart and the kidneys. ACE2 is not sensitive to the ACE inhibitor drugs used to treat hypertension. ACE2 receptors have been shown to be the entry point into human cells for some coronaviruses, including the SARS virus[10]. A number of studies have identified that the entry point is the same for SARS-CoV-2, the COVID-19 virus.
