[Atrial natriuretic peptide]: Hormone that plays a key role in mediating cardio-renal homeostasis, and is involved in vascular remodeling and regulating energy metabolism (PubMed:
8653797, PubMed:
7595132, PubMed:
2825692, PubMed:
7720651, PubMed:
8087923, PubMed:
2532366, PubMed:
22307324, PubMed:
18835931, PubMed:
21672517, PubMed:
15741263, PubMed:
16875975). Acts by specifically binding and stimulating NPR1 to produce cGMP, which in turn activates effector proteins, such as PRKG1, that drive various biological responses (PubMed:
25401746, PubMed:
9893117, PubMed:
1672777, PubMed:
1660465, PubMed:
2162527, PubMed:
2825692, PubMed:
7720651, PubMed:
22307324, PubMed:
8384600, PubMed:
21098034). Regulates vasodilation, natriuresis, diuresis and aldosterone synthesis and is therefore essential for regulating blood pressure, controlling the extracellular fluid volume and maintaining the fluid-electrolyte balance (PubMed:
8653797, PubMed:
7595132, PubMed:
2825692, PubMed:
7720651, PubMed:
2532366, PubMed:
8087923). Also involved in inhibiting cardiac remodeling and cardiac hypertrophy by inducing cardiomyocyte apoptosis and attenuating the growth of cardiomyocytes and fibroblasts (PubMed:
16875975). Plays a role in female pregnancy by promoting trophoblast invasion and spiral artery remodeling in uterus, and thus prevents pregnancy-induced hypertension (By similarity). In adipose tissue, acts in various cGMP- and PKG-dependent pathways to regulate lipid metabolism and energy homeostasis (PubMed:
22307324, PubMed:
18835931, PubMed:
21672517, PubMed:
15741263). This includes upregulating lipid metabolism and mitochondrial oxygen utilization by activating the AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), and increasing energy expenditure by acting via MAPK11 to promote the UCP1-dependent thermogenesis of brown adipose tissue (PubMed:
22307324, PubMed:
18835931, PubMed:
21672517, PubMed:
15741263). Binds the clearance receptor NPR3 which removes the hormone from circulation (PubMed:
1672777).
