title: Demonstration and characterization of alpha-human atrial natriuretic factor in human plasma.
abstract: This paper describes a highly specific and sensitive radioimmunoassay for alpha-human atrial natriuretic factor (alpha-hANF), the C-terminal 28-amino-acid residue portion of human prepro-ANF in human plasma. A novel extraction and prepurification procedure allowed for detection of levels of immunoreactive-alpha-hANF as low as 0.5 fmol/ml. In normotensive subjects, levels in the range 1-23 fmol/ml (mean = 8.9 fmol/ml) were found. Combined gel permeation and HPLC analysis demonstrated that this ir-alpha-hANF was comprised virtually exclusively of authentic 28-residue alpha-hANF. No evidence for occurrence of larger precursor forms in human plasma was acquired. A heterogenous group of hypertensive patients displayed considerably higher levels (mean = 62.2 fmol/ml), of interest in view of the hypotensive properties of ANF.
mesh_terms: D000327:Adsorption; D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D009320:Atrial Natriuretic Factor; D001798:Blood Proteins; D002850:Chromatography, Gel; D003429:Cross Reactions; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000097:blood; D008722:Methods; D045283:Natriuretic Agents; D010446:Peptide Fragments / Q000097:blood*; D011863:Radioimmunoassay
chemical_list: D001798:Blood Proteins; C472955:NPPA protein, human; D045283:Natriuretic Agents; D010446:Peptide Fragments; D009320:Atrial Natriuretic Factor