VASOACTIVE PEPTIDES IN THE HEART OF CHAMPSOCEPHALUS-GUNNARI

The presence of vasoactive peptides known to control cardiovascular fu nctions in mammals and sub-mammalian vertebrates was investigated in t he sub-Antarctic icefish Chamesocephalus gunnari. Western immune blott ing was used to demonstrate immunoreactive atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP), angiotensin II (Ang II), bradykinin (BK) and endothelin-1 (ET-1 ) in heart homogenates. Immunohistochemistry was used to investigate t he distribution of ANP, Ang II, BK and ET-I in the cardiocytes of the three chambers of the heart (atrium, ventricle and the very short conu s arteriosus). (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Inc.