Ultracytochemical localization of guanylate cyclase after stimulation with natriuretic peptides in frog choroid plexus.

The ultracytochemical localization of particulate guanylate cyclase (GC) has been studied in Rana esculenta choroid plexus after activation with rat atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP), porcine brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) and porcine C-type natriuretic peptide (CNP). This study shows that the three peptides are activators of GC in the choroid plexus as demonstrated by the presence of reaction products at the level of the epithelium and sinusoids. In the apical zone of the epithelial cells predominantly BNP seems to activate GC, while ANP and CNP activate GC mainly at the level of the lateral surfaces. Moreover, ANP stimulates the enzyme along the basal membrane of the epithelial cells as well as the membranes of the endothelium of the sinusoids. In the presence of CNP, enzyme stimulation can also be found at the level of the endocellular membranes. These results confirm that the choroid plexus is an organ with receptors for the natriuretic peptides which are involved in the processes of osmoregulation and the control of cerebrospinal fluid production.