Molecular aspects of atrial natriuretic factor physiology

Circulating atrial natriuretic factor (ANF) may interact with binding sites in many tissues to produce the characteristic pharmacological effects seen after intravenous administration. In addition to hormonal effects, ANF may have a local regulatory role. We have examined this hypothesis by using techniques designed to localise specific binding sites (defining target cells) and the messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) for ANF (defining cells with the capacity to synthesise ANF). We have demonstrated a topological relationship between the distribution of binding sites and mRNA transcripts in the heart and adrenal gland. This data supports functional evidence that ANF may have local effects, possibly including the regulation of both cardiac rhythmicity and contractility and its own secretion from the heart, and the maintenance of the cortical zones of adrenal steroid production.