A cDNA copy of the message encoding rat atrial natriuretic factor (ANF) has been cloned in Escherichia coli, and its nucleotide sequence was determined. ANF appears to be synthesized as a larger precursor, atrial pronatriodilatin. The cDNA has an open reading frame potentially encoding a protein of 152 amino acids, of which the first 24 amino acids strongly resemble a signal sequence. This is followed by a sequence with 80% homology to a second vasoactive protein, porcine cardiodilatin. The ANF peptide is contained in the COOH-terminal portion of the protein. The DNA sequence corresponding to human ANF is also presented and displays a high degree of homology to its rat counterpart. These data provide further evidence for the expression in cardiac atria of a multifactor system that may contribute to the regulation of blood pressure and extracellular fluid volume.

Zivin, R. A., Condra, J. H., Dixon, R. A., Seidah, N. G., Chrétien, M., Nemer, M., Chamberland, M., & Drouin, J. (1984). Molecular cloning and characterization of DNA sequences encoding rat and human atrial natriuretic factors. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 81(20), 6325–6329.