Title:Atrial Natriuretic Peptide: Structure, Function, and Physiological Effects:
A Narrative Review
Volume: 17
Issue: 6
Author(s): Sanjana Rao, Camilo Pena , Scott Shurmur and Kenneth Nugent *
Affiliation:
- Department of Internal Medicine, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, Texas 79430, USA
Keywords:
Atrial natriuretic peptide, corin, guanylyl cyclase receptor, cGMP, renin, hypertension, heart failure.
Abstract: Atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) is a cardiac peptide with multiple physiological effects,
including natriuresis, blood pressure regulation, and renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS)
antagonism. Pre-proANP is synthesized in the atria and must be extensively cleaved by the protease
corin to produce the mature 28 amino acid ANP. The downstream signaling pathway of ANP
acts through the guanylyl cyclase receptor and the second messenger cGMP. Studies on ANP’s physiological
effects have demonstrated its activity on channels present in the apical membrane in the
renal nephron, potentially inhibiting or decreasing sodium reabsorption. Recent research has also
identified several clinical conditions, such as dilated cardiomyopathy, renal failure, and aging, associated
with increased and decreased ANP levels. ANP levels could serve as a potential biomarker
for the diagnosis of acute stages of heart failure, and ANP infusion could have a role in the management
of acute or chronic heart failure.
