What enzyme converts angiotensin I to angiotensin II?

What enzyme converts angiotensin I to angiotensin II? Angiotensin-converting enzyme performs this conversion.

This enzyme is a central part of the renin–angiotensin system, which helps regulate blood pressure and fluid balance. It removes a two-amino-acid fragment from angiotensin I, changing the inactive, ten-amino-acid peptide into angiotensin II, an eight-amino-acid peptide.

Angiotensin II narrows blood vessels and stimulates the adrenal cortex to release aldosterone. Aldosterone promotes sodium and water retention, further supporting blood pressure. ACE is found on endothelial cells throughout the body, with especially important activity in the lung circulation.

A common mix-up is renin, which acts earlier by converting angiotensinogen into angiotensin I. Aldosterone is a hormone, not an enzyme. ACE also breaks down bradykinin, which helps explain why ACE-inhibitor medicines can cause a persistent dry cough in some patients.