RT-PCR ANALYSIS OF MESSENGER-RNA EXPRESSION OF NATRIURETIC PEPTIDE FAMILY AND THEIR RECEPTORS IN RAT INNER-EAR

To assess the possible physiological role of the atrial natriuretic pe ptide (ANP) family, we investigated the expression of mRNA of ANP, bra in natriuretic peptide (BNP), C-type natriuretic peptide (CNP), and th eir receptors in rat inner ear using the reverse transcription-polymer ase chain reaction method. ANP and CNP message bands were detected in the inner ear, but the BNP message band was not. Amplification product s of the expected sizes of ANP-A, ANP-B, and ANP-C receptors were dete cted in the inner ear. These results suggest that natriuretic peptide family may influence the function of the inner ear through the ANP-A, ANP-B, and ANP-C receptors. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science B.V.