This gene encodes an enzyme involved in catalyzing the conversion of angiotensin I into a physiologically active peptide angiotensin II. Angiotensin II is a potent vasopressor and aldosterone-stimulating peptide that controls blood pressure and fluid-electrolyte balance. This enzyme plays a key role in the renin-angiotensin system. Many studies have associated the presence or absence of a 287 bp Alu repeat element in this gene with the levels of circulating enzyme or cardiovascular pathophysiologies. Two most abundant alternatively spliced variants of this gene encode two isozymes - the somatic form and the testicular form that are equally active. Multiple additional alternatively spliced variants have been identified but their full length nature has not been determined. Transcript Variant: This variant (3) differs in the 5' and 3' UTR and includes an alternate in-frame exon in the 5' coding region, compared to variant 1. It also uses an alternate splice site in the 3' coding region, compared to variant 1, that results in a frameshift. Isoform (3) is shorter and has a distinct N- and C-terminii, compared to isoform 1. Publication Note: This RefSeq record includes a subset of the publications that are available for this gene. Please see the Entrez Gene record to access additional publications.