Loss of collectrin, an angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 homolog, uncouples endothelial nitric oxide synthase and causes hypertension and vascular dysfunction.

Background: Collectrin is an orphan member of the renin-angiotensin system and is a homolog of angiotensin-converting enzyme 2, sharing ≈50% sequence identity. Unlike angiotensin-converting enzyme 2, collectrin lacks any catalytic domain. Collectrin has been shown to function as a chaperone of amino acid transporters.