The term ‘ACE2’ is talked about in the context of

The term ‘ACE2’ is talked about in the context of

genes introduced in the genetically modified plants
development of India's own satellite navigation system
radio collars for wildlife tracking
spread of viral diseases
This question was previously asked in
UPSC IAS – 2021
The term ‘ACE2’ stands for Angiotensin-converting enzyme 2. This enzyme is a protein found on the surface of many cells, particularly in the lungs, heart, kidneys, and intestines. It became widely known because it serves as the primary receptor that the SARS-CoV-2 virus (which causes COVID-19) uses to enter human cells. Therefore, ACE2 is talked about extensively in the context of the spread of viral diseases, specifically COVID-19.
– ACE2 is a protein enzyme found on cell surfaces.
– It acts as a receptor for coronaviruses, including SARS-CoV-2.
– The binding of the virus to ACE2 is the initial step in cellular infection.
ACE2 is part of the renin-angiotensin system (RAS), which plays a crucial role in regulating blood pressure and fluid balance. Research is ongoing to understand the complex interaction between SARS-CoV-2 and ACE2, and how it affects the RAS and contributes to the severity of COVID-19 disease.