Secretion and renal effects of ANF prohormone peptides.

ABSTRACT

1. Atrial natriuretic factor (ANF) and pro ANF peptide appears to be secreted simultaneously from the atria in response to atrial stretch. 2. The major peptide forms secreted from rat atria appear to be ANF (pro ANF 99-126) as the primary C-terminal peptide and pro ANF 1-30 as the primary N-terminal peptide, as opposed to 1-67 or 1-98. 3. The plasma concentrations of ANF and pro ANF 1-30 are increased by acute stimulation with blood volume expansion and the plasma levels of ANF and N-terminal ANF prohormone peptides are chronically elevated by high salt diet. 4. Pro ANF 31-67 produces a natriuresis which is not dependent on an increase in renal cGMP excretion, decreases in plasma renin activity (PRA) or elevations in plasma ANF concentration.