Masanori Shimokura

α-Human atrial natriuretic polypeptide is released from the heart and circulates in the body

In order to clarify whether or not atrial natriuretic polypeptides are hormones in man, we have measured plasma alpha-human atrial natriuretic polypeptide (alpha-hANP)-like immunoreactivity (alpha-hANP-LI) with or without extraction procedure. alpha-hANP-LI was detected in plasma extracts from all 5 normal subjects and 7 patients with heart diseases. The alpha-hANP-LI concentration in normal peripheral plasma was 37.7 +/- 7.0 pg/ml (mean +/- SE). Plasma concentrations of alpha-hANP-LI in the coronary sinus obtained by cardiac catheterization were 3 to 10 times higher than those in the peripheral vein, inferior vena cava, right atrium, pulmonary artery and aorta. High performance gel permeation chromatography coupled with a radioimmunoassay (RIA) for alpha-hANP revealed that alpha-hANP-LI in normal peripheral plasma eluted at the position corresponding to that of authentic alpha-hANP without detectable amounts of high molecular weight forms. alpha-hANP-LI extracted from plasma taken from the coronary sinus of two patients also showed a single peak of alpha-hANP-LI co-eluting with alpha-hANP. In contrast, not only alpha-hANP but gamma-hANP and beta-hANP, high molecular weight forms, were present in the human atrial tissue. These results indicate that alpha-hANP is the predominant form of alpha-hANP-LI in human plasma and that this form generated in the atrial cardiocytes is preferentially released from these cells and circulates in the body.

Occurrence of atrial natriuretic polypeptide in brain

In order to determine whether or not atrial natriuretic polypeptides (ANPs) exist in the brain, we have studied extracts from the rat brain using a specific radioimmunoassay (RIA) for alpha-atrial natriuretic polypeptide. The presence and widespread distribution of alpha-rat ANP-like immunoreactivity (alpha-rANP-LI) have been demonstrated in the rat brain. The highest concentration of alpha-rANP-LI (20-22 ng/g) is in the hypothalamus and the septum. Moderate concentrations of alpha-rANP-LI (2-8 ng/g) are also found in the midbrain, cerebral cortex, olfactory bulb, thalamus, pons-medulla and hippocampus. High performance gel permeation chromatography coupled with the RIA revealed that alpha-rANP-LI found in the rat brain consists of three components eluting at the positions of gamma-rat ANP (gamma-rANP), beta-rat ANP (beta-rANP) and alpha-rANP, respectively. Among these a low molecular weight form of alpha-rANP-LI emerging at the elution position corresponding to alpha-rANP is predominant in the rat brain. This is in contrast to the finding that gamma-rANP, a high molecular weight form of 13k daltons is the dominant form of alpha-rANP-LI in the rat atrium. These results clearly show that there exists a widespread neural system containing ANPs in the brain.

Radioimmunoassay for α-human and rat atrial natriuretic polypeptide

Abstract Using a synthetic common carboxy-terminal fragment of α-human atrial natriuretic polypeptide (α-hANP) and α-rat atrial natriuretic polypeptide (α-rANP), we have produced an antiserum for α-ANP(17–28) and established a radioimmunoassay (RIA) for α-ANP that recognizes α-hANP and α-rANP equally. High performance gel permeation chromatography coupled with the RIA revealed that α-hANP-like immunoreactivity (α-hANP-LI) in the human atrium consists of three major components, γ-hANP, α-hANP and another. On the other hand, α-rANP-LI in the rat atrium comprised at least two components, 13K α-rANP-LI and 3K–5K α-rANP-LI, which were presumably γ-rANP and β-rANP, respectively. Thus, considerable amounts of γ-hANP and γ-rANP are present in human right auricles and rat atria, respectively. The RIA established in this study provides a useful tool to investigate the pathophysiological significance of α-ANP and related peptides in cardiovascular disorders and shows that γ-ANP is not only a precursor of α-ANP but acts as an important hormone.

Existence of atrial natriuretic polypeptide in kidney

Using a specific radioimmunoassay (RIA) for alpha-atrial natriuretic polypeptide (alpha-ANP), we have demonstrated the presence of alpha-rat ANP-like immunoreactivity (alpha-rANP-LI) in the rat kidney which is considered to be a target organ for atrial natriuretic polypeptides released from the heart. Most of alpha-rANP-LI was localized in the cortex. High performance gel permeation chromatography coupled with the RIA revealed that renal alpha-rANP-LI was eluted at the position of a low molecular weight form corresponding to alpha-rANP without detectable amounts of high molecular weight forms. This is in contrast to the observation that gamma-rANP, a high molecular weight form of 13k daltons, is the dominant form of alpha-rANP-LI in the rat atrium. In water-deprived rats, the concentration and content of alpha-rANP-LI in the kidney showed a significant decrease compared with control rats. In addition, the alpha-rANP-LI concentration and content in this organ revealed a substantial decrease after perfusion with physiological saline. These results indicate the existence of atrial natriuretic polypeptide (ANP) in the kidney and suggest that part of renal ANP may originate from the heart.

Specific binding activities and cyclic GMP responses by atrial natriuretic polypeptide in kidney epithelial cell line (LLC-PK1)

Receptor binding activities and cyclic GMP responses by alpha-human atrial natriuretic polypeptide (alpha-hANP) and its fragments were studied in a kidney epithelial cell line (LLC-PK1). Binding of 125I-alpha-hANP to the cells at 0 degrees C was saturable, time-dependent and reversible, indicating the presence of a single class of binding sites. alpha-hANP (7-23)NH2 fragment inhibited most effectively the specific binding of 125I-alpha-hANP to the LLC-PK1 cells, followed by alpha-hANP (17-28) and alpha-hANP (8-22), while alpha-hANP (1-6) and alpha-hANP (24-28) did not. alpha-hANP stimulated the formation of cyclic GMP in the LLC-PK1 cells dose-dependently. Although no fragments of alpha-hANP used were effective for cyclic GMP formation in the LLC-PK1 cells, alpha-hANP (7-23) NH2 antagonized the action of alpha-hANP on cyclic GMP formation. These data suggest that the LLC-PK1 cells retain specific receptors for atrial natriuretic polypeptide (ANP) and respond to ANP by stimulating cyclic GMP formation, and therefore this cell line may be useful for studying the mechanism of action for ANP in renal tubular cells.

Accelerated Natriuresis Induced by Synthetic Atrial Natriuretic Polypeptide in Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats

Effects of synthetic alpha human atrial natriuretic polypeptide (alpha-hANP) on diuresis, natriuresis and mean arterial blood pressure (MAP) were compared between 4-5 month-old male spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) and Wistar-Kyoto rats (WKY) under ether anesthesia. In both groups, the peptide injected (0.5 micrograms/100g body weight, i.v.) caused potent (about ten fold), rapid and short-acting (for 15 min) increases in sodium (Na+) and chloride excretions and also an increase in urine flow and potassium excretion with lesser magnitude. Although ratios of the maximum response to basal value were much the same, net increases in urine flow and Na+ output were significantly greater in SHR than in WKY. As to the effect on MAP, a rapid (within 2 min) fall observed in the two groups. These results suggest that the atrial natriuretic peptide may be involved in the altered regulatory mechanism of fluid and electrolyte balance in SHR models with genetic hypertension.

A new thiol protecting trimethylacetamidomethyl group. Synthesis of a new porcine brain natriuretic peptide using the S-trimethylacetamidomethyl-cysteine

Abstract The S -trimethylacetamidomethyl-cysteine [Cys(Tacm)], which can be easily prepared without any serious side reaction, was stable to acidic and alkaline conditions, and readily converted to cystine by iodine oxidation. This new Cys(Tacm) derivative is successfully applied to the conventional solution synthesis of a new porcine brain natriuretic peptide.

Syntheses and biological activities of atrial natriuretic polypeptide analogs

AbstractRecently several peptides with natriuretic and diuretic potencies were isolated from human and rat atrial extract, and the precursors of the peptides were sequenced. Of the peptides, α-human and rat atrial natriuretic polypeptides (α-hANP, α-rANP), consisting of 28 amino acids, are thought to be essential to the potency and to play an important role in the blood pressure regulation system. The amino acid sequence of α-hANP n

Trimethylacetamidomethyl (Tacm) Group, a New Protecting Group for the Thiol Function of Cysteine

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