ACE2 Library

ChemDiv’s library of the small molecule AC2 inhibitors comprises 3,051 compounds.

Angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) is a vital element of the counter-regulatory pathway in the Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosterone System (RAAS), which regulates blood pressure, inflammation, and fibrosis. It plays a critical role in the pathophysiology of hypertension, cardiovascular disease, and chronic kidney disease. ACE2 enzymatically converts Angiotensin II (Ang II) into Angiotensin-(1–7) (Ang-(1–7)), leading to lowered blood pressure and reduced inflammation and fibrosis. The primary actions of Ang-(1–7) include promoting vasodilation, facilitating sodium and water excretion, reducing sympathetic nervous system activity, and enhancing nitric oxide production.

The recent COVID-19 pandemic has demonstrated that ACE2 also serves as the binding site for SARS-CoV-2, the virus responsible for COVID-19. This unique interaction is hypothesized to link COVID-19 with hypertension, cardiovascular disease, and kidney disease. Similar to SARS-CoV, the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein attaches to membrane-bound ACE2 on respiratory epithelial cells to facilitate cellular entry, but with notably higher affinity. The endocytosis of the SARS-CoV-2–ACE2 complex, along with the virus-induced shedding of ACE2 from the cell surface and the downregulation of ACE2, likely contribute to a decrease in ACE2 expression and activity in infected cells. This reduction in ACE2 functionality is believed to be a critical factor in the pathophysiology of COVID-19.

ACE2 inhibitors have garnered significant interest in drug discovery due to their potential role in treating a variety of cardiovascular and renal diseases. The modulation of ACE2 activity can be particularly beneficial in managing conditions like hypertension, heart failure, and chronic kidney disease, as well as COVID-19 infection.

The ACE2 inhibitor small molecule library is a specialized collection designed for the advancement of drug discovery in cardiovascular and renal diseases, as well as potential antiviral therapies. This library comprises a diverse array of small molecules specifically tailored to inhibit ACE2 activity. By targeting ACE2, these compounds hold promise in modulating crucial physiological processes such as blood pressure regulation, inflammation, and fibrosis, offering therapeutic potential for conditions like hypertension, heart failure, and chronic kidney disease. The compounds within this library have been selected based on their chemical diversity, potential efficacy, and the ability to provide insights into the molecular interactions with ACE2, thereby serving as a vital resource for researchers and pharmaceutical companies aiming to develop new treatments for a range of ACE2-related conditions.