Synthetic mammalian C-type natriuretic peptide forms large cation channels. (1/332)

We report the first evidence that synthetic human C-type natriuretic peptide-22 and the OaC-type natriuretic peptide-39(18-39), a 22 amino acid fragment of the OaC-type natriuretic peptide-39 from platypus venom, can function directly by forming a novel voltage-gated weakly cation-selective channel in negatively charged artificial lipid bilayer membranes. The channel activity is characterized by a tendency for inactivation at negative voltages, e.g. -60 and -70 mV, whereas at positive voltages the channel is fully open. The channel has a maximal cord conductance of 546+/-23 pS (n = 16) and shows weak outward rectification. The sequence and the permeability ratios were P(K)+: P(Cs)+: P(Na)+: P(choline)+ 1:0.88:0.76:0.13, respectively. The addition of 50 mM TEA+ cis (a blocker of outwardly rectifying K+ channels), 20 mM Cs+ cis (a blocker of inwardly rectifying K+ channels) or 0.5 mM glibenclamide cis (a blocker of ATP-sensitive K+ channels) to the cis chamber did not affect the conductance or the kinetics of the OaC-type natriuretic peptide-39(18-39)-formed channels (n = 2-5). It is concluded that the weak cation selectivity, large conductance and high open probability as well as their voltage dependency are consistent with the ability of these peptides to cause that loss of compartmentation of the membrane, which is a characteristic feature of adverse conditions that cause C-type natriuretic peptide-related pathologies.  (+info)

cGMP-dependent and -independent inhibition of a K+ conductance by natriuretic peptides: molecular and functional studies in human proximal tubule cells. (2/332)

In immortalized human kidney epithelial (IHKE-1) cells derived from proximal tubules, two natriuretic peptide receptors (NPR) were identified. In addition to NPR-A, which is bound by atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP), brain natriuretic peptide (BNP), and urodilatin (URO), a novel form of NPR-B that might be bound by C-type natriuretic peptide (CNP) was identified using PCR. This novel splice variant of NPR-B (NPR-Bi) was also found in human kidney. Whereas ANP, BNP, and URO increased intracellular cGMP levels in IHKE-1 cells in a concentration-dependent manner, CNP had no effect on cGMP levels. To determine the physiologic responses to these agonists in IHKE-1 cells, the membrane voltage (Vm) was monitored using the slow whole-cell patch-clamp technique. ANP (10 nM), BNP (10 nM), and URO (16 nM) depolarized these cells by 3 to 4 mV (n = 47, 7, and 16, respectively), an effect that could be mimicked by 0.1 mM 8-Br-cGMP (n = 15). The effects of ANP and 8-Br-cGMP were not additive (n = 4). CNP (10 nM) also depolarized these cells, by 3+/-1 mV (n = 28), despite the absence of an increase in cellular cGMP levels, indicating a cGMP-independent mechanism. In the presence of CNP, 8-Br-cGMP further depolarized Vm significantly, by 1.6+/-0.3 mV (n = 5). The depolarizations by ANP were completely abolished in the presence of Ba2+ (1 mM, n = 4) and thus can be related to inhibition of a K+ conductance in the luminal membrane of IHKE-1 cells. The depolarizations attributable to CNP were completely blocked when genistein (10 microM, n = 6), an inhibitor of tyrosine kinases, was present. These findings indicate that natriuretic peptides regulate electrogenic transport processes via cGMP-dependent and -independent pathways that influence the Vm of IHKE-1 cells.  (+info)

Nitric oxide and C-type atrial natriuretic peptide stimulate primary aortic smooth muscle cell migration via a cGMP-dependent mechanism: relationship to microfilament dissociation and altered cell morphology. (3/332)

Migration of aortic smooth muscle cells is thought to be of essential importance in vascular restenosis, remodeling, and angiogenesis. Recent studies have shown that NO donors inhibit the migration of subcultured aortic smooth muscle cells. However, there is evidence that NO elicits opposite effects on cell proliferation in primary versus subcultured cells, indicating fundamental differences among different models of aortic smooth muscle cell cultures. The purpose of the current study was to investigate the effect of NO donors on migration of primary cultures of rat aortic smooth muscle cells and to compare and contrast their response with those in subcultured cells. A second purpose was to investigate some of the underlying mechanisms associated with NO-induced effects on cell migration. We report that 2 NO donors, S-nitroso-N-acetylpenicillamine (SNAP) and 2, 2-(hydroxynitrosohydrazino)bis-ethanamine, stimulated the migration of primary cells in a wounded-culture model as well as in a transwell migration model. The effect of NO donors was mimicked by 2 cGMP analogues and C-type natriuretic peptide and blocked by a specific inhibitor of guanyl cyclase, 1H-(1,2,4)oxadiazolo[4,3, -a]quinoxalin-1-one, indicating the involvement of cGMP as second messenger. Moreover, neither NO donors nor cGMP analogues altered migration of primary cultures stimulated by either FBS or angiotensin II. In contrast to its effect in primary cultures, SNAP did not alter basal or stimulated migration of subcultured cells, except at a relatively high concentration of 1 mmol/L, at which migration was inhibited. The migration-stimulatory effect of NO donors and cGMP was associated with altered cell morphology and dissociation of actin filaments, consistent with recent studies indicating that cell morphology and cytoskeletal organization influence cell migration. The results suggest the possible involvement of NO-induced cell migration in vascular injury or remodeling, representing conditions in which vascular NO levels would be expected to be elevated.  (+info)

Higher proportions of type C than of types A and B natriuretic peptide receptors exist in the rat ciliary body. (4/332)

We investigate the interaction of atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) and C-type natriuretic peptide (CNP) with their receptors (NPRA, NPRB and NPRC), as well as the proportion and localization of those receptors in the rat ciliary body. Binding assays and affinity cross-linking experiments demonstrated the presence of the NPRC receptor type. However, the three natriuretic peptides stimulate the guanylate cyclase activity in the ciliary body membranes suggesting the presence of the NPRA and NPRB receptor type. Microautoradiographic data show that the NPRs are localized in the whole ciliary body. Our results indicated that NPRC is the most prominent receptor type in this tissue.  (+info)

Natriuretic peptide receptors, NPR-A and NPR-B, in cultured rabbit retinal pigment epithelium cells. (5/332)

We tried to detect natriuretic peptide (NP) receptor (NPR-A and NPR-B) mRNAs in cultured rabbit retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cells and examined the regulation of their expression in relation to subretinal fluid absorption or RPE cell proliferation. RPE cells from 2-4 passages were grown to confluence on microporous membranes and analyzed for levels of expression of receptor mRNAs by quantitative RT-PCR and Northern blotting. The expression of NPR-B mRNA was approximately tenfold higher than that of NPR-A mRNA. The expression of NPR-A mRNA was not affected by treatments that may change subretinal fluid transport, while that of NPR-B mRNA was inhibited by transmitters involved in light- and dark-adaptation such as dopamine and melatonin. Expression of NPR-B mRNA was also suppressed by platelet-derived growth factor and transforming growth factor-beta. Furthermore, atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) and C-type natriuretic peptide (CNP), ligands for NPR-A and B, respectively, inhibited the proliferation of RPE cells, as analyzed by incorporation of [3H]thymidine. These findings suggest that ANP may be involved in constitutive absorption of subretinal fluid and that NPs form an important regulatory system of proliferation in RPE cells.  (+info)

Atrial, B-type, and C-type natriuretic peptides cause mesenteric vasoconstriction in conscious dogs. (6/332)

Cardiovascular responses were compared with equimolar infusions of B-type (BNP) and C-type (CNP) with atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) in conscious, instrumented dogs. On separate days, each natriuretic peptide or vehicle was infused (intravenously) at step-up doses of 2, 5, 10, and 20 pmol. kg-1. min-1 (20 min each dose) to increase circulating levels of the infused peptide from approximately 2- to 20-fold. Like ANP, infusions of BNP caused dose-related increases (P < 0.05) in mesenteric vascular resistance, urine flow, natriuresis, and hematocrit (changes at highest doses were 60 +/- 9, 334 +/- 113, 313 +/- 173, and 12 +/- 2%, respectively). BNP also lowered (P < 0. 05) plasma renin activity (-43 +/- 11%) and arterial pressure (-10 +/- 3%). Effects of BNP were independent of reflex sympathetic activation, since autonomic ganglion blockade did not attenuate the responses. CNP infusions had little effect except to increase (P < 0. 05) mesenteric vascular resistance (27 +/- 10%) and plasma ANP (41 +/- 7%). Cardiovascular actions of BNP, like those of ANP, counteract the renin-ANG system and may protect the heart by lowering cardiac preload (venous return) and afterload (arterial pressure) while maintaining blood flow to extrasplanchnic regions.  (+info)

Hormonal regulation of natriuretic peptide system during induced ovarian follicular development in the rat. (7/332)

All components of the natriuretic peptide (NP) system have been found in the ovary. The purpose of this study was to determine the hormonal regulation of the NP system during follicular growth and ovulation induced by gonadotropins eCG and hCG. Ovarian membrane binding, before and after treatment, revealed the presence of guanylyl cyclase-type receptors exclusively. Equine CG treatment increased Bmax from 225 +/- 50 fmol/mg protein in control animals to 354 +/- 51 fmol/mg protein, and additional hCG treatment increased it further to 492 +/- 130 fmol/mg protein (p < 0.05), without changing receptor affinity. The increased binding was consistent with increased ability of atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) to activate guanylyl cyclase in the ovarian cells obtained from hormone-treated animals. In confirmation, autoradiography of 125I-tyroCNP and 125I-ANP binding to the rat ovary showed that both guanylyl cyclase GC-A and GC-B receptor subtypes are localized to the granulosa cells of antral follicles. Quantitative analysis of GC-A and GC-B receptors by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction showed that the expression level of both receptors started to increase at 2 h and reached maximal levels at 6 h following eCG treatment. Increased levels of GC-B mRNA were also observed 12 h after eCG injection. At 24 and 48 h the receptor levels were below basal. Stimulation of NP receptors by eCG was paralleled by activation of both ovarian ANP and C-type natriuretic peptide (CNP) gene expression. ANP mRNA increased as early as 1 h after eCG injection and remained elevated up to 6 h. CNP mRNA increased at 2 h after eCG injection, peaked (5-fold) at 6 h, and remained elevated 48 h later, a stage at which follicular maturation continues. Incubation of ovaries with ANP significantly decreased eCG-induced estradiol level, indicating the functionality of the ovarian NP system. These results implicate the NP system in the induction and maintenance of fluid balance in the rapidly developing ovarian follicle.  (+info)

Characterization of a C-type natriuretic peptide (CNP-39)-formed cation-selective channel from platypus (Ornithorhynchus anatinus) venom. (8/332)

1. The lipid bilayer technique is used to characterize the biophysical and pharmacological properties of a novel, fast, cation-selective channel formed by incorporating platypus (Ornithorhynchus anatinus) venom (OaV) into lipid membranes. 2. A synthetic C-type natriuretic peptide OaCNP-39, which is identical to that present in platypus venom, mimics the conductance, kinetics, selectivity and pharmacological properties of the OaV-formed fast cation-selective channel. The N-terminal fragment containing residues 1-17, i.e. OaCNP-39(1-17), induces the channel activity. 3. The current amplitude of the TEACl-insensitive fast cation-selective channel is dependent on cytoplasmic K+, [K+]cis. The increase in the current amplitude, as a function of increasing [K+]cis, is non-linear and can be described by the Michaelis-Menten equation. At +140 mV, the values of gammamax and KS are 63.1 pS and 169 mM, respectively, whereas at 0 mV the values of gammamax and KS are 21.1 pS and 307 mM, respectively. gammamax and KS are maximal single channel conductance and concentration for half-maximal gamma, respectively. The calculated permeability ratios, PK:PRb:PNa:PCs:PLi, were 1:0.76:0.21:0.09:0.03, respectively. 4. The probability of the fast channel being open, Po, increases from 0.15 at 0 mV to 0.75 at +140 mV. In contrast, the channel frequency, Fo, decreases from 400 to 180 events per second for voltages between 0 mV and +140. The mean open time, To, increases as the bilayer is made more positive, between 0 and +140 mV. The mean values of the voltage-dependent kinetic parameters, Po, Fo, To and mean closed time (Tc), are independent of [KCl]cis between 50 and 750 mM (P > 0. 05). 5. It is proposed that some of the symptoms of envenomation by platypus venom may be caused partly by changes in cellular functions mediated via the OaCNP-39-formed fast cation-selective channel, which affects signal transduction.  (+info)