Carboxypeptidases A1 and A2 from the perfusate of rat mesenteric arterial bed differentially process angiotensin peptides

► Rat vascular CPA1 and CPA2 are novel angiotensin-processing enzymes. ► Rat CPA1 metabolizes Ang II to Ang-(1-7). ► Rat CPA2 catalyzes a stepwise conversion of Ang-(1-12) to Ang I. ► mRNA for CPA1 and CPA2 are expressed in various extrapancreatic tissues of the rat.