ATRIAL-NATRIURETIC-PEPTIDE HORMONAL SYSTEM IN PLANTS

To determine if atrial natriuretic peptides are present in plants as well as animals, where they are important for water and sodium metabolism, the leaves and stems of the Florida Beauty (Dracena godseffiana) were examined. The N-terminus consisting of amino acids (a.a.) 1-98 (i.e., pro ANF 1-98), the mid portion of the N-terminus (a.a. 31-67; pro ANF 31-67), and C-terminus (a.a. 99-126; ANF) of the 126 a.a. atrial natriuretic factor (ANF) prohormone were all present in the leaves and stems of this plant. The concentrations of pro ANF 1-98, pro ANF 31-67 and ANF-like peptides of 120±20, 123±21, and 129±20 ng/g of plant tissue in leaves and 109±20, 96±21, and 124±18 ng/g of tissue, respectively, in the stems were lower (P<0.05) than their concentrations in rat (Rattus norvegicus) heart atria of 196±40, 192±28, and 189±15 ng/g of tissue respectively, but higher (P<0.001) than their respective concentrations of 4.3±1.4, 4.1±1.2, and 3.9±1 ng/g of rat heart ventricular tissue. We conclude that the atrial natriuretic peptide-like hormonal system is present in the plant kingdom as well as in the animal kingdom. © 1991.