Atrial natriuretic factor selectively activates particulate guanylate cyclase and elevates cyclic GMP in rat tissues

The effects on guanylate cyclase and cyclic GMP accumulation of a synthetic peptide containing the amino acid sequence and biological activity of atrial natriuretic factor (ANF) were studied. ANF activated particulate guanylate cyclase in a concentration- and time- dependent fashion in crude membranes obtained from homogenates of rat kidney. Activation of particulate guanylate cyclase by ANF was also observed in particulate fractions from homogenates of rat aorta, testes, intestine, lung, and liver, but not from heart or brain. Soluble guanylate cyclase obtained from these tissues was not activated by ANF. Trypsin treatment of ANF prevented the activation of guanylate cyclase, while heat treatment had no effect. Accumulation of cyclic GMP in kidney minces and aorta was stimulated by ANF activation of guanylate cyclase. These data suggest a role for particulate guanylate cyclase in the molecular mechanisms underlying the physiological effects of ANF such as vascular relaxation, natriuresis, and diuresis.     

Association of the atrial natriuretic factor receptor with guanylate cyclase in solubilized rat glomerular membranes

The elution profile of solubilized rat glomerular membranes from a gel filtration column showed two peaks of 125I-ANF (atrial natriuretic factor) binding (367 +/- 21, 156 +/- 12 KDa). Over 85% of the total binding for the extract was in the 367 KDa peak. Guanylate cyclase activity was correlated with 125I-ANF specific binding. ANF activation of guanylate cyclase was also observed. As observed previously with particulate membrane, Scatchard-analysis of ANF binding data with the solubilized extract was consistent with a two-site model. Both affinities (Kd's), 4 pM and 1 nM, are within the range of blood concentrations reported for ANF. These observations suggest that most rat glomerular ANF receptors are large molecular complexes coupled with guanylate cyclase in the 300-350 KDa size range.     

Molecular cloning and expression of murine guanylate cyclase/atrial natriuretic factor receptor cDNA

The potent diuretic and natriuretic peptide hormone atrial natriuretic factor (ANF), with vasodilatory activity also stimulates steroidogenic responsiveness in Leydig cells. The actions of ANF are mediated by its interaction with specific cell surface receptors and the membrane-bound form of guanylate cyclase represents an atrial natriuretic factor receptor (ANF-R). To understand the mechanism of ANF action in testicular steroidogenesis and to identify guanylate cyclase/ANF-R that is expressed in the Leydig cells, the primary structure of murine guanylate cyclase/ANF-R has been deduced from its cDNA sequence. A cDNA library constructed from poly(A+) RNA of murine Leydig tumor (MA-10) cell line was screened for the membrane-bound form of ANF-R/guanylate cyclase sequences by hybridization with a rat brain guanylate cyclase/ANF-R cDNA probe. The amino acid sequence deduced from the cDNA shows that murine guanylate cyclase/ANF-R cDNA consists of 1057 amino acids with 21 amino acids comprising the transmembrane domain which separates an extracellular ligand-binding domain (469 amino acid residues) and an intracellular guanylate cyclase domain (567 amino acid residues). Upon transfection of the murine guanylate cyclase/ANF-R cDNA in COS-7 cells, the expressed protein showed specific binding to 125I-ANF, stimulation of guanylate cyclase activity and production of intracellular cGMP in response to ANF. The expression of guanylate cyclase/ANF-R cDNA transfected in rat Leydig tumor cells stimulated the production of testosterone and intracellular cGMP after treatment with ANF. The results presented herein directly show that ANF can regulate the testicular steroidogenic responsiveness in addition to its known regulatory role in the control of cardiovascular homeostasis.     

Atrial natriuretic factor activates membrane-bound guanylate cyclase of chief cells

The present study examined the effect of atrial natriuretic factor (ANF) on cGMP generation by dispersed chief cells from guinea pig stomach. ANF caused a rapid dose-dependent increase in cGMP, a 7-fold increase in cGMP caused by 1 microM ANF, with or without 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine present. Methylene blue reduced cGMP in response to nitroprusside but not ANF. Guanylate cyclase activity of a chief cell membrane fraction doubled in response to ANF, but was not affected by nitroprusside. ANF had no effect on guanylate cyclase activity of the soluble fraction of lysed chief cells. Dose-response curves for whole cell cGMP production and membrane guanylate cyclase activity in response to ANF were closely related. These data indicate that ANF increases chief cell cGMP production by activating particulate guanylate cyclase, providing functional evidence that chief cells possess surface membrane receptors for ANF.     

Characterization and regulation by protein kinase C of renal glomerular atrial natriuretic peptide receptor-coupled guanylate cyclase

The nature and regulation of atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP)-sensitive guanylate cyclase in rat renal glomerular membranes was examined. By affinity crosslinking techniques, three bands with apparent molecular masses of 180, 130 and 64 kDa were specifically labeled with [125I]ANP. A specific antibody to the 180 kDa membrane guanylate cyclase of rat adrenocortical carcinoma recognized a 180 kDa band on Western blot analysis of solubilized, GTP-affinity purified glomerular membrane proteins. The same antibody completely inhibited ANP-stimulated guanylate cyclase activity in glomerular membrane fractions. Partially purified protein kinase C inhibited ANP-stimulated guanylate cyclase activity in glomerular membrane fractions. It is concluded that a 180 kDa ANP-sensitive guanylate cyclase is present in glomerular membranes, and that this enzyme is inhibited directly by protein kinase C.     

Atrial natriuretic factor and sodium nitroprusside increase cyclic GMP in cultured rat lung fibroblasts by activating different forms of guanylate cyclase.

We used cultured rat lung fibroblasts to evaluate the role of particulate and soluble guanylate cyclase in the atrial natriuretic factor (ANF)-induced stimulation of cyclic GMP. ANF receptors were identified by binding of 125I-ANF to confluent cells at 37 degrees C. Specific ANF binding was rapid and saturable with increasing concentrations of ANF. The equilibrium dissociation constant (KD) was 0.66 +/- 0.077 nM and the Bmax. was 216 +/- 33 fmol bound/10(6) cells, which corresponds to 130,000 +/- 20,000 sites/cell. The molecular characteristics of ANF binding sites were examined by affinity cross-linking of 125I-ANF to intact cells with disuccinimidyl suberate. ANF specifically labelled two sites with molecular sizes of 66 and 130 kDa, which we have identified in other cultured cells. ANF and sodium nitroprusside produced a time- and concentration-dependent increase in intracellular cyclic GMP. An increase in cyclic GMP by ANF was detected at 1 nM, and at 100 nM an approx. 100-fold increase in cyclic GMP was observed. Nitroprusside stimulated cyclic GMP at 10 nM and at 1 mM a 500-600-fold increase in cyclic GMP occurred. The simultaneous addition of 100 nM-ANF and 10 microM-nitroprusside to cells resulted in cyclic GMP levels that were additive. ANF increased the activity of particulate guanylate cyclase by about 10-fold, but had no effect on soluble guanylate cyclase. In contrast, nitroprusside did not alter the activity of particulate guanylate cyclase, but increased the activity of soluble guanylate cyclase by 17-fold. These results demonstrate that rat lung fibroblasts contain ANF receptors and suggest that the ANF-induced stimulation of cyclic GMP is mediated entirely by particulate guanylate cyclase.     

Ultracytochemical localization of particulate guanylate cyclase after stimulation with natriuretic peptides in lamb olfactory mucosa

Summary The ultracytochemical localization of particulate guanylate cyclase has been studied in lamb olfactory mucosa after activation with rat atrial natriuretic factor (rANF), porcine brain natriuretic peptide (pBNP), porcine C-type natriuretic peptide (pCNP) or rat brain natriuretic peptide (rBNP). Particulate guanylate cyclase is the receptor for these peptides and recently two subtypes of the cyclase have been identified. These isoforms are stimulated differently by ANF, BNP and CNP. Under our experimental conditions, rANF, pCNP and pBNP were strong activators of particulate guanylate cyclase in lamb olfactory mucosa, as demonstrated by the presence of reaction product. Samples incubated in basal conditions without rANF, pCNP or pBNP, or samples incubated in presence of rBNP did not reveal any cyclase activity. The rANF-stimulated cyclase activity was localized in the apical portion of olfactory epithelium. pCNP-stimulated guanylate cyclase was detected to the lamina propria in association with secretory cells of Bowman's glands and with cells in close relation with Bowman's glands (elongated cells and myoepithelial cells). The cyclase activity stimulated by pBNP was limited to cells of Bowman's glands. The present data indicate that ANF and CNP are recognized by different receptors and that BNP and CNP bind to the same receptor.     

Biochemical mechanisms of atrial natriuretic factor action

Since atrial natriuretic factor (ANF) is a natriuretic and vasodilatory hormone, its mechanisms of action expectedly involve so-called negative pathways of cell stimulation, notably cyclic nucleotides. Indeed, the guanylate cyclase-cyclic GMP (cGMP) system appears to be the principal mediator of ANF's action. Specifically, particulate guanylate cyclase, a membrane glycoprotein, transmits ANF's effects, as opposed to the activation of soluble guanylate cyclase such agents as sodium nitroprusside. The stimulation of particulate guanylate cyclase by ANF manifests several characteristics. One of them is the functional irreversibility of stimulation with its apparent physiological consequences: the extended impact of ANF on diuresis and vasodilation in vivo lasts beyond the duration of increased plasma ANF levels and is accompanied by a prolonged elevation of cGMP. Another characteristic is the parallelism between guanylate cyclase stimulation and increases of cGMP in extracellular fluids. cGMP egression appears to be an active process, yet its physiological implications remain to be uncovered. In heart failure, cGMP continues to reflect augmented ANF levels, suggesting that in this disease, the lack of an ANF effect on sodium excretion is due to a defect distal to cGMP generation. In hypertension, where ANF levels are either normal or slightly elevated, probably secondary to high blood pressure, the ANF responsiveness of the particulate guanylate cyclase-cGMP system, the hypotensive effects, diuresis and natriuresis are exaggerated. The implications of this exaggerated responsiveness of the ANF-cGMP system in the pathophysiology of hypertension and its potential therapeutic connotations remain to be evaluated.     

Amiloride increases the sensitivity of particulate guanylate cyclase to atrial natriuretic factor

The natriuretic agent amiloride induces a shift of the dose-response curve of particulate guanylate cyclase to atrial natriuretic factor (ANF) to the left. The ANF concentration for half-maximal activation of guanylate cyclase is shifted from 20 to 3 nM in the presence of 100 microM amiloride. This effect is observed with GTP*Mn2+, but not with GTP*Mg2+ as substrate. Amiloride derivatives, which inhibit a specific Na+-channel, also shift the dose-response curve to the left. These data suggest that some of the effects of amiloride may be mediated by an increased sensitivity of particulate guanylate cyclase to ANF.     

ANF stimulation of detergent-dispersed particulate guanylate cyclase from bovine adrenal cortex

Particulate guanylate cyclase from bovine adrenal cortex can be stimulated by ANF. A 2-fold stimulation of the enzyme was obtained with 100 nM ANF and a half-maximal stimulation, with a 5 nM dose. The stimulation by ANF persisted for at least 30 min. Various detergents, such as Triton X-100, Lubrol PX, cholate, CHAPS, digitonin and zwittergent, stimulated several-fold the activity of particulate guanylate cyclase. However, only Triton X-100 dispersed particulate guanylate cyclase without affecting its response to ANF. The dose-response curve of ANF stimulation of the particulate and the Triton X-100 dispersed enzyme was similar. The dispersion of a fully responsive guanylate cyclase to ANF will help us to uncover the type of interactions between guanylate cyclase and ANF. It will also be used as a first step for the purification of an ANF-sensitive particulate guanylate cyclase.     

The increase of cGMP by atrial natriuretic factor correlates with the distribution of particulate guanylate cyclase

We have demonstrated previously that atrial natriuretic factor (ANF) augments urinary, plasma and kidney cGMP levels but has no significant effect upon cAMP. Using cGMP as a marker, we searched for specific target sites involved in the action of ANF in the dog kidney, and observed no change of cGMP in the proximal tubules, a 2-fold increase over basal levels in the thick loop of Henle and a 3-fold elevation in the collecting duct. The most striking action on cGMP occurred in the glomeruli with a rise of up to 50-fold being evident at 1-2 min. after the addition of ANF. The results obtained in the absence or presence of a phosphodiesterase inhibitor support the notion that the effects of ANF were exerted at the level of guanylate cyclase stimulation rather than cGMP phosphodiesterase inhibition. The action of sodium nitroprusside (SNP), a direct stimulator of soluble guanylate cyclase, differed from that of ANF. The ability of the factor to enhance cGMP levels was correlated with the distribution of particulate guanylate cyclase. This study identifies the glomeruli and the distal part of the nephron as specific targets of ANF and implicates particulate guanylate cyclase as the enzyme targetted for the expression of its action.     

Participation of adenosine 5'-triphosphate in the activation of membrane-bound guanylate cyclase by the atrial natriuretic factor

The addition of ANF to Percoll-purified liver plasma membranes produced a slight activation of guanylate cyclase; the ANF-stimulated cyclase activity was further increased upon the addition of ATP to the enzyme assay mixture. The effect of ATP to potentiate the cyclase activation was concentration-dependent, required Mg2+ as a divalent cation, and was seen with membranes from various tissues and cells. ATP increased the maximal velocity of the cyclase without a change in the affinity for GTP or ANF. Phosphorylation by ATP might not be involved since ANF-stimulated guanylate cyclase was enhanced by non-phosphorylating ATP analogues as well. Thus, an allosteric ATP binding site is suggested to participate in ANF-induced regulation of membrane-bound guanylate cyclase.     

Characterization and physiologic regulation of atrial natriuretic factor receptors in rabbit preglomerular renal microvessels.

There has been no direct demonstration of the presence of guanylate cyclase-linked atrial natriuretic factor receptors in renal preglomerular microvasculature. Using [125I]ANF, we have demonstrated the presence of high affinity (Kd = 80 pM) and low affinity (Kd = 7.2 nM) ANF receptors in membranes derived from rabbit renal preglomerular microvessels (afferent arterioles and interlobular arteries). These microvessels also exhibited the presence of particulate bound ANF-sensitive guanylate cyclase. The density of the high affinity ANF receptor in desoxycorticosterone-treated rabbits on a high-salt diet (31 +/- 3 fmol/mg protein) was nearly half of that seen in rabbits on a normal diet (53 +/- 4 fmol/mg protein; p less than 0.01, n = 4). Data from this study demonstrated the presence of renal preglomerular ANF receptors and suggested that these receptors (perhaps in addition to glomerular ANF receptors) may participate in the regulation of extracellular volume.     

Proteolytic cleavage of atrial natriuretic factor receptor in bovine adrenal membranes by endogenous metalloendopeptidase. Effects on guanylate cyclase activity and ligand-binding specificity.

Atrial natriuretic factor (ANF) is a peptide hormone from the heart atrium with potent natriuretic and vasorelaxant activities. The natriuretic activity of ANF is, in part, mediated through the adrenal gland, where binding of ANF to the 130-kDa ANF receptor causes suppression of aldosterone secretion. Incubation of bovine adrenal membranes at pH < 5.6 caused a rapid and spontaneous cleavage of the 130-kDa ANF receptor, yielding a 65-kDa polypeptide that could be detected by photoaffinity labeling by 125I-labeled N alpha 4-azidobenzoyl-ANF(4-28) followed by SDS/PAGE under reducing conditions. Within 20 min of incubation at pH 4.0, essentially all the 130-kDa receptor was converted to a 65-kDa ANF binding protein. This cleavage reaction was completely inhibited by inclusion of 5 mM EDTA. When SDS/PAGE was carried out under non-reducing conditions, the apparent size of the ANF receptor remained unchanged at 130 kDa, indicating that the 65-kDa ANF-binding fragment was still linked to the remaining part(s) of the receptor polypeptide through a disulfide bond(s). The disappearance of the 130-kDa receptor was accompanied by a parallel decrease in guanylate cyclase activity in the membranes. Inclusion of EDTA in the incubation not only prevented cleavage of the 130-kDa receptor, but also protected guanylate cyclase activity, indicating that proteolysis, but not the physical effects of the acidic pH, causes inactivation of guanylate cyclase. The 130-kDa ANF receptor in adrenal membranes was competitively protected from photoaffinity labeling by ANF(1-28) or ANF(4-28), but not by atriopeptin I [ANF(5-25)] or C-ANF [des-(18-22)-ANF(4-23)-NH2]. On the contrary, the 65-kDa ANF-binding fragment generated after incubation at pH 4.0 was protected from labeling by any of the above peptides, indicating broader binding specificity. After incubation in the presence of EDTA, the 130-kDa ANF receptor, which was protected from proteolysis, retained binding specificity identical to that of the 130-kDa receptor in untreated membranes. The results indicate that the broadening of selectivity is caused by cleavage, but not by the physical effect of acidic pH. Spontaneous proteolysis of ANF receptor by an endogenous metalloendopeptidase, occurring with concomitant inactivation of guanylate cyclase activity and broadening of ligand-binding selectivity, may be responsible for the generation of low-molecular-mass receptors found in the adrenal gland and other target organs of ANF. The proteolytic process may play a role in desensitization or down-regulation of the ANF receptor.     

Purification and characterization of two types of atrial natriuretic factor receptors from bovine adrenal cortex: guanylate cyclase-linked and cyclase-free receptors

Atrial natriuretic factor (ANF) receptors with and without guanylate cyclase activity were simultaneously purified to apparent homogeneity from bovine adrenal zona glomerulosa cell membrane fractions. The particulate guanylate cyclase which co-purified with the ANF receptor showed one of the highest specific activity reported. The receptors with or without the guanylate cyclase activity showed high affinities to ANF (99-126). The receptor without the cyclase showed a high affinity to truncated ANF analogs, ANF (103-123) and ANF (105-121), whereas the cyclase-linked receptor had a much lower affinity to these analogs. Both of the receptors migrated as a single band with a molecular weight of 135,000 daltons on SDS-gel electrophoresis under non-reducing conditions. The 135,000 daltons band of the receptor without the cyclase was shifted to a 62,000 daltons band under reducing conditions, but the band for the cyclase-linked receptor was not shifted. These results demonstrated the presence of two subtypes of ANF receptor in bovine adrenal cortex and indicate two different modes of intracellular action of ANF.     

Effect of prolonged high salt diet on atrial natriuretic factor in rats

Normotensive Sprague-Dawley rats were given 8% NaCl for 5 weeks. This salt load did not affect their blood pressure nor hematocrit, and plasma atrial natriuretic factor (ANF) showed no change at 3 weeks but decreased after 5 weeks of the experimental period when compared with control rats. The responsiveness of particulate guanylate cyclase and formation of cGMP in ANF target organs suggested an augmented baseline activity of the cGMP system but its relative hyporesponsiveness to exogenous ANF following prolonged salt loading. Decreased plasma ANF levels cannot be explained by its altered production since atrial levels of the peptide were comparable in rats with or without salt loading. Atrial ANF mRNA was unaffected by the salt regimen. This study demonstrates that plasma ANF does not increase during long-term NaCl loading and even decreases after 5 weeks of 8% NaCl. The changes in plasma ANF are associated with changes in the functional state of ANF receptors coupled to particulate guanylate cyclase, but in the opposite direction than expected from lowered plasma ANF. Thus, ANF may not play a significant role in the regulation of sodium excretion in response to prolonged high salt consumption or, if it does, it is not reflected by expected changes in its plasma levels.     

Interaction of atrial natriuretic peptide-stimulated guanylate cyclase and vasopressin-stimulated calcium signaling pathways in the glomerular mesangial cell

Receptors for atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) have been demonstrated in renal mesangial cells as well as other cell types in the glomerulus. The biochemical basis for the effects of ANP on glomerular hemodynamics remains undefined. Using cultured rat glomerular mesangial cells, we demonstrated a concentration-dependent stimulation of cGMP production in intact cells, and of guanylate cyclase in membranes. Despite the presence of a guanylate cyclase response, ANP had no inhibitory effect on basal inositol trisphosphate production nor on basal cytosolic calcium. Arginine vasopressin stimulated IP3 production, caused a rise in cytosolic calcium as measured using the calcium-sensitive fluorescent probe Indo-1, and caused mesangial cell contraction. ANP caused a slight but significant enhancement of vasopressin-stimulated IP3 production, but had no effect on the cytosolic calcium response nor on the contractile response. 8-Bromo-cGMP likewise had no effect on the generation of the calcium signal. These results indicate that the effects of ANP on glomerular hemodynamics are not mediated by an alteration in the generation of the calcium signal in mesangial cells. In contrast, addition of calcium inhibited ANP stimulated guanylate cyclase activity.     

Two membrane juxtaposed signaling modules in ANF-RGC are interlocked

Atrial natriuretic factor (ANF) receptor guanylate cyclase ANF-RGC is a single transmembrane spanning modular protein. Juxtaposed to each side of the transmembrane module is a Cys423-Cys432 disulfide ANF signaling module motif and the ATP-regulated transduction module (ARM) motif. The signaling module motif is conserved in nearly all membrane guanylate cyclases and is believed to be critical in the signaling activities of all membrane guanylate cyclases. The present study with the model system of the olfactory membrane guanylate cyclase shows that this concept is not valid. Furthermore, the study shows that in ANF-GC the signaling motif works through the ARM domain. A new signaling model is proposed where in its natural state the disulfide structural motif represses the ARM domain activity, which, in turn, represses the catalytic module activity of ANF-RGC. ANF signaling relieves the disulfide structural motif restraint on the ARM inhibition and stimulates the catalytic module of the cyclase.     

Interaction of atrial natriuretic factor and endothelin-1 signals through receptor guanylate cyclase in pulmonary artery endothelial cells

The endothelial cell has a unique intrinsic feature: it produces a most potent vasopressor peptide hormone, endothelin (ET-1), yet it also contains a signaling system of an equally potent hypotensive hormone, atrial natriuretic factor (ANF). This raises two related curious questions: does the endothelial cell also contain an ET-1 signaling system? If yes, how do the two systems interact with each other? The present investigation was undertaken to determine such a possibility. Bovine pulmonary artery endothelial (BPAE) cells were chosen as a model system. Identity of the ANF receptor guanylate cyclase was probed with a specific polyclonal antibody to the 180 kDa membrane guanylate cyclase (mGC) ANF receptor. A Western-blot analysis of GTP-affinity-purified endothelial cell membrane proteins recognized a 180 kDa band; the same antibody inhibited the ANF-stimulated guanylate cyclase activity; the ANF-dependent rise of cyclic GMP in the intact cells was dose-dependent. By affinity cross-linking technique, a predominant 55 kDa membrane protein band was specifically labeled with [¹²⁵I]ET-1. ET-1 treatment of the cells showed a migration of the protein kinase C (PKC) activity from cytosol to the plasma membrane; ET-1 inhibited the ANF-dependent production of cyclic GMP in a dose-dependent fashion with an EC₅₀ of 100 nM. This inhibitory effect was duplicated by phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA), a known PKC-activator. The EC₅₀ of PMA was 5 nM. A PKC inhibitor, 1-(5-isoquinolinyl-sulfonyl)-2-methyl piperazine (H-7), blocked the PMA-dependent attenuation of ANF-dependent cyclic GMP formation. These results demonstrate that the 180 kDa mGC-coupled ANF and ET-1 signaling systems coexist in endothelial cells and that the ET-1 signal negates the ANF-dependent guanylate cyclase activity and cyclic GMP formation. Furthermore, these results support the paracrine and/or autocrine role of ET-1.     

Co-purification of an atrial natriuretic factor receptor and particulate guanylate cyclase from rat lung

An atrial natriuretic factor (ANF) receptor from rat lung was solubilized with Lubrol-PX and purified by sequential chromatographic steps on GTP-agarose, DEAE-Sephacel, phenyl-agarose, and wheat germ agglutinin-agarose. The ANF receptor was enriched 19,000-fold. The purified receptor has a binding profile and properties that correspond to the affinity and specificity found in membranes and crude detergent extracts. Polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of the purified preparation in the presence of sodium dodecyl sulfate and dithiothreitol showed the presence of one major protein band with a molecular mass of 120,000 daltons. When purified preparations were incubated with 125I-ANF, then cross-linked with disuccinimidyl suberate, the 120,000-dalton protein was specifically radiolabeled. This high affinity binding site for ANF co-purified with particulate guanylate cyclase. Particulate guanylate cyclase was purified to a specific activity of 19 mumol cyclic GMP produced/min/mg of protein utilizing Mn-GTP as substrate. This represented a 15,000-fold purification compared to the initial lung membrane preparation with Lubrol-PX. Gel permeation high performance liquid chromatography and glycerol density gradient sedimentation studies of the purified preparation also resulted in co-migration of specific ANF binding and guanylate cyclase activities. The co-purification of these activities suggests that both ANF binding and guanylate cyclase activities reside in the same macromolecular complex. Presumably ANF binding occurs at the external membrane surface and cyclic GMP synthesis at the internal membrane surface of this transmembrane glycoprotein.