Medical Term:
angiotensin-converting enzyme
Definition
A zinc-containing hydrolase cleaving C-terminal dipeptides from a variety of substrates, including angiotensin I, which is converted to angiotensin II and histidylleucine (an important step in the metabolism of certain vasopressor agents). Drugs that inhibit it are used to treat hypertension and congestive heart failure.
Synonym(s): peptidyl dipeptidase A
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Examples: glitazone, GI cocktail, etc.
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