LOCALIZATION OF THE HUMAN B-TYPE NATRIURETIC PEPTIDE PRECURSOR (NPPB)GENE TO CHROMOSOME 1P36

Cardiac myocytes synthesize and secrete a family of peptide hormones w ith potent natriuretic, diuretic, and vasodilatory properties. These p eptides are derived from precursor molecules that are encoded by two d ifferent genes, the atrial natriuretic peptide precursor A (NPPA) and the B-type natriuretic peptide or natriuretic peptide precursor B (NPP B). A human genomic clone for the NPPB gene was used to determine the chromosomal location of the NPPB gene. Analysis of Southern blot hybri dization to DNAs from various somatic cell hybrids and fluorescence in situ hybridization allowed assignment of the NPPB locus to human chro mosome 1p36. This location coincided with that of the NPPA locus; puls ed-field gel electrophoresis placed NPPA and NPPB within 50 kb of each other. This close chromosomal linkage, together with the conserved pr imary sequences and structural organization of the two natriuretic pep tide precursor genes, suggests that the natriuretic peptide loci may h ave evolved from a common ancestor gene. (C) 1995 Academic Press, Inc.