Merck, A6778-.25UN, Angiotensin Converting Enzyme from rabbit lung

The angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) is a dipeptidyl-carboxypeptidase which exists in somatic and testicular isoforms with zinc binding motif HEXXH in their active site. ACE regulates blood pressure through renin-angiotensin system. ACE elevates blood pressure by converting angiotensin I to a key vasoconstrictor angiotensin II and inhibiting a potent vasodilator bradykinin. Inhibition of ACE is a targeted therapeutic strategy for high blood pressure. Several ACE synthetic inhibitory peptides available for clinical use include captopril, enalapril and lisinopril. Currently, developing inhibitory peptides from natural food sources, or phenolic compounds from plant sources to inhibit ACE is underway. ACE plays a critical role in fertilization by releasing the proteins anchored to glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI) in sperm membrane.