ACE2在SARS发病中作用的研究进展

Progress in Research on the Role of ACE2 in SARS Pathogenesis

重症急性呼吸综合征(SARS)是由SARS冠状病毒(SARS-CoV)引起的一种急性传染病,在其序列被测出后几个月内人们就找到了SARS-CoV的受体血管紧张素转换酶2(ACE2)。因病毒受体与病毒入侵细胞密切相关,因而有必要深入研究ACE2与SARS-CoV之间的关系。本文总结了ACE2在各组织器官的分布及功能,分析了ACE2基因的变异与病毒进入及SARS疾病严重程度之间的关系、ACE2基因的表达水平与病毒进入及SARS疾病严重程度之间的关系。这些研究将为理解SARS-CoV与ACE2之间的相互作用及设计针对ACE2的抗SARS药物提供重要的理论依据。

Severe acute respiratory syndreme（SARS） is an emerging infectious disease caused by a novel coronavirus （CoV） variant, SARS-CoV. Within several months, new informations have been publicated, among others, the SARS-CoV genome, angiotensin-converting enzyme 2（ACE2） was identified as the receptor for SARS-CoV. Studies showed that the virus receptors may play a key role in the entry of the pathogen into the host cells. So it is necessary to investigate the relationship between SARS-CoV and ACE2. This paper firstly reviewed the distribution and function of ACE2 protein in various organs in humans. Then we summarized the relationship between ACE2 variation with SARS-CoV entry and SARS severity. The relationship between ACE2 expression with SARS-CoV entry and SARS severity was also included. These studies will provide a theoretical basis for understanding the interaction between the SARS-CoV and ACE2 and designing new drugs targeting ACE2 receptor.