Identification of a 29-amino acid natriuretic peptide in chicken heart.

Morphological and pharmacological observations have suggested that chicken atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) is different from mammalian ANP. The present survey for the as yet unidentified ANP in chicken heart was performed by monitoring the relaxant effect on chick rectum. From the low molecular weight component of rectum relaxant activity observed in acid extracts of chicken ventricle, a novel 29-amino acid peptide was purified. The identical peptide was also isolated from acid extracts of chicken atrium. The peptide elicited a pharmacological spectrum very similar to that of mammalian ANP, including diuretic-natriuretic and hypotensive activity. Thus, the peptide was designated "chicken alpha-ANP (alpha-chANP)". The complete amino acid sequence determined for the peptide showed remarkable homology with that of mammalian alpha-ANP. However, maximum homology was observed when the peptide was compared with a recently identified porcine brain natriuretic peptide (BNP).