TRANSCRIPTION OF BRAIN NATRIURETIC PEPTIDE AND ATRIAL-NATRIURETIC-PEPTIDE GENES IN HUMAN TISSUES

We have compared the expression of atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) an d brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) genes in various human tissues using a quantitative polymerase chain reaction technique. Tissues of three human subjects, obtained at autopsy, were analyzed. BNP transcripts co uld be detected in the central nervous system, lung, thyroid, adrenal, kidney, spleen, small intestine,,ovary, uterus, and striated muscle. ANP transcripts could also be demonstrated in various human extracardi ac tissues including several endocrine organs. In all peripheral tissu es, the level of both natriuretic peptide transcripts was approximatel y 1-2 orders of magnitude lower than in cardiac ventricular tissues. T his distribution is in marked contrast to the much lower level of ANP and BNP transcripts present in extracardiac rat tissues (generally les s than 1/1000 of ventricles). These data suggest differential expressi on of the two natriuretic peptide genes in cardiac and extracardiac ti ssues in man. Furthermore, the presence of local synthesis of ANP and BNP in various peripheral organs suggests paracrine and/or autocrine f unction of these natriuretic peptides.