title: Atrial natriuretic factor: an overview.
abstract: Heart atrial muscle cells in mammals are differentiated for a contractile as well as a secretory function. Through the latter, the heart plays an endocrine role; it synthesizes, stores, and releases a group of peptides collectively referred to as atrial natriuretic factor (ANF). ANF has natriuretic and hypotensive properties as well as an inhibitory effect on aldosterone and renin secretion. Thus ANF intervenes in the short- and long-term regulation of water and electrolyte balance and blood pressure. It is expected that further research in this new field will provide fresh insights into the pathophysiology of several important clinical entities and in the development of new pharmaceutical products.
mesh_terms: D000450:Aldosterone / Q000502:physiology; D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000818:Animals; D016275:Atrial Function; D009320:Atrial Natriuretic Factor / Q000502:physiology*; D001794:Blood Pressure; D003594:Cytoplasmic Granules / Q000502:physiology / Q000648:ultrastructure; D006321:Heart / Q000502:physiology; D006325:Heart Atria / Q000648:ultrastructure; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D009200:Myocardial Contraction; D009206:Myocardium / Q000648:ultrastructure; D009318:Natriuresis; D011498:Protein Precursors; D012084:Renin-Angiotensin System; D014882:Water-Electrolyte Balance
chemical_list: D011498:Protein Precursors; D000450:Aldosterone; D009320:Atrial Natriuretic Factor