Chamber-dependent expression of brain natriuretic peptide and its mRNA in normal and diabetic pig heart.
Brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) is produced in cardiac myocytes, and increased secretion is closely associated with cardiac dysfunction. However, several fundamental aspects of BNP expression in the myocardium have not yet been resolved. In the present study, we report the presence of a precursor BNP mRNA transcript and a mature BNP mRNA transcript in normal porcine hearts. In normal pigs, the amount of precursor BNP mRNA was similar in atrial and ventricular myocardium, whereas the mature BNP transcript was 10- to 50-fold more abundant in atrial than in ventricular myocardium. Quantitation of proBNP in normal porcine hearts by radioimmunoassay disclosed abundant proBNP in the atria, whereas proBNP was undetectable in the ventricles. Laser confocal microscopy revealed proBNP in secretory granules of atrial but not in the ventricular myocardium of normal pigs. Mild streptozotocin-induced diabetes doubled the expression of BNP mRNA in porcine atrial myocardium (P=0.03), but was without effect on BNP mRNA in the ventricular myocardium. The data suggest that BNP mRNA processing and proBNP storage differ between the atrial and ventricular myocardium. The results also imply that diabetes increases cardiac BNP expression in a chamber-dependent manner.
Christoffersen
Christina
C
Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.
Goetze
Jens P
JP
Bartels
Emil D
ED
Larsen
Marianne O
MO
Ribel
Ulla
U
Rehfeld
Jens F
JF
Rolin
Bidda
B
Nielsen
Lars B
LB
D000818:Animals; D003921:Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D006325:Heart Atria / Q000378:metabolism*; D006352:Heart Ventricles / Q000378:metabolism*; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D008297:Male; D018613:Microscopy, Confocal; D020097:Natriuretic Peptide, Brain / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D011498:Protein Precursors / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D013552:Swine; D013556:Swine, Miniature; D014158:Transcription, Genetic
D011498:Protein Precursors; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D020097:Natriuretic Peptide, Brain