ACE2 bound to amino acid tansporter, illustration - stock illustration

Molecular model of an angiotensin converting enzyme 2 (ACE2, blue) in complex with the broad neutral amino acid transporter (BOAT 1, violet) in a cell membrane. ACE2 is involved in the control of blood pressure. BOAT1 mediates the uptake of neutral amino acids into intestinal cells. This function is facilitated by ACE2, although the mechanism is not understood. ACE2 is also the receptor that the new coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, the cause of Covid-19, binds to to infect human cells. Understanding its interactions may help to find drugs to treat Covid-19.