Atrial natriuretic factor.

The sections in this article are: 1 Brief Historical Notes 2 Initial Findings 3 Isolation and Chemical Characterization 3.1 Structure of Low-Molecular-Weight ANF Peptides 3.2 Isolation of High-Molecular-Weight Forms 3.3 Nomenclature 4 Biosynthesis and Localization of ANF 4.1 Structures of the ANF Precursor, Messenger RNA, and Gene 4.2 Regulation of Gene Expression in Atrium 4.3 Biosynthetic Processing in Atrium 4.4 Gene Expression and Biosynthesis in Extraatrial Tissues 4.5 Homology with Other Proteins 5 Control of ANF Release 5.1 Atrial Distention 5.2 Atrial Contraction Frequency 5.3 Autonomic Influences on ANF Release 5.4 Other Vasoactive Agents 5.5 Other Factors 6 Pharmacokinetics and Metabolism 6.1 Pharmacokinetic Parameters 6.2 Sites of ANF Extraction 6.3 Metabolites of ANF 6.4 Clearance Pathways 7 ANF Receptors and Second Messengers 7.1 Biochemical Characteristics of ANF Receptors 7.2 Second Messengers of ANF Receptors 7.3 The Clearance Function of C-ANF Receptors 8 Functional Effects of ANF 8.1 Renal Actions 8.2 Effects on the Renin–Angiotensin–Aldosterone System 8.3 Effects on Other Steroid Pathways 8.4 Effects on the Cardiovascular System 8.5 Central Nervous System Actions 9 Physiological Role of ANF 10 ANF in Pathological Conditions 10.1 Edematous Disorders 10.2 Renal Failure 10.3 Hypertensive Disorders 10.4 Preeclampsia 10.5 Syndrome of Inappropriate Antidiuretic Hormone Secretion (SIADH) 10.6 Bartter's Syndrome 10.7 Other Disorders 11 Conclusions