Fig. 1
From: ACE2 in chronic disease and COVID-19: gene regulation and post-translational modification
The rennin-angiotensin system (RAS) regulates vasoconstriction and vasodilation. Angiotensin-converting enzyme 1 (ACE1) cleaves angiotensinogen (AGT) into angiotensin II (Ang II), which interacts with Ang II type 1 receptor (AT1R) and leads to vasoconstriction. In contrast, angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) cleaves Ang II into angiotensin 1–7 (Ang 1–7), which binds to the receptor MAS and leads to vasodilation. Moreover, Ang II binds to Ang II type 2 receptor (AT2R) and induces vasodilation