Characterization of angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 ectodomain shedding from mouse proximal tubular cells.

ABSTRACT: Angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) is highly expressed in the kidney proximal tubule, where it cleaves angiotensin (Ang) II to Ang-(1-7). Urinary ACE2 levels increase in diabetes, suggesting that ACE2 may be shed from tubular cells. The aim of this study was to determine if ACE2 is shed from proximal tubular cells, to characterize ACE2 fragments, and to study pathways for shedding. Studies involved primary cultures of mouse proximal tubular cells, with ACE2 activity measured using a synthetic substrate, and analysis of ACE2 fragments by immunoblots and mass spectrometry. The culture media from mouse proximal tubular cells demonstrated a time-dependent increase in ACE2 activity, suggesting constitutive ACE2 shedding. ACE2 was detected in media as two bands at ∼ 90 kDa and ∼ 70 kDa on im

SUBMITTER: Xiao F 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3893316 | biostudies-literature | 2014

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature