REGULATORY MECHANISMS OF ANGIOTENSIN-CONVERTING ENZYME 2 AND THEIR SIGNIFICANCE IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF SEVERE COVID-19

From 2019 to the present day, the coronavirus infection COVID-19 continues to be a serious health problem. Scientists and clinicians from all over the world have joined efforts in studying the molecular interaction mechanisms between SARS-CoV-2 and ACE2, including virus-induced changes in ACE2 transcription, expression, and functionalities leading to disruption of basic regulatory pathways for vascular homeostasis, and reprogramming of key proteases, co-receptors and adhesion molecules. Here, we aimed to clarify the mechanisms and signals that would restore the virus-induced imbalance between destructive and protective effects of ACE2. Understanding why only certain individuals are predisposed to infection with SARS-CoV-2, and development of severe pathology is at the center of scientific interest, and the strategies for prevention and therapy.