[Study on expression and regulation of atrial natriuretic factor (ANF) gene in nasal mucosa]

Using 32P labelled rat ANF cDNA probe, the ANF gene transcripts in rat nasal mucosa and the effect of glucocorticoid and estrogen on the ANF gene transcripts was examined by Dot blot and Northern blot hybridization. Further more, the gene expression of ANF in nasal mucosa tissues of some patients with nasal diseases were also examined. The results showed that nasal mucosa contained ANF mRNA which could synthesize ANF. Both estrogen and glucocorticoid could enhance ANF gene expression in nasal mucosa with dose dependance. The gene expression of ANF in nasal polyps and inferior turbinate mucosa of patients with nasal polyps was more evident than that in other pathological conditions. The clinical significance of ANF in nasal mucosa was also discussed.