Endocrine significance of SARS-CoV-2's reliance on ACE2

E Lazartigues, MMF Qadir, F Mauvais-Jarvis - Endocrinology, 2020 - academic.oup.com
Endocrinology, 2020academic.oup.com
The current COVID-19 pandemic is the most disruptive event in the past 50 years, with a
global impact on health care and world economies. It is caused by severe acute respiratory
syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2), a coronavirus that uses angiotensin-converting
enzyme 2 (ACE2) as an entry point to the cells. ACE2 is a transmembrane carboxypeptidase
and member of the renin-angiotensin system. This mini-review summarizes the main
findings regarding ACE2 expression and function in endocrine tissues. We discuss rapidly …
Abstract
The current COVID-19 pandemic is the most disruptive event in the past 50 years, with a global impact on health care and world economies. It is caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2), a coronavirus that uses angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) as an entry point to the cells. ACE2 is a transmembrane carboxypeptidase and member of the renin-angiotensin system. This mini-review summarizes the main findings regarding ACE2 expression and function in endocrine tissues. We discuss rapidly evolving knowledge on the potential role of ACE2 and SARS coronaviruses in endocrinology and the development of diabetes mellitus, hypogonadism, and pituitary and thyroid diseases.
Oxford University Press