This gene codes for Natriuretic peptide A. Atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) is a powerful vasodilator (R). ANP relaxes our blood vessels and decreases blood volume, which lowers blood pressure (R). The overall effect of ANP on the body is to counter increases in blood pressure and volume caused by the renin-angiotensin system (R). ANP acts to reduce the water, sodium and fat loads on the circulatory system, thereby reducing blood pressure (R). ANP has exactly the opposite function of the aldosterone in regard to its effect on sodium in the kidney “ that is, aldosterone stimulates sodium retention and ANP generates sodium loss.  ANP inhibits aldosterone release (R). ANP increases the release of free fatty acids from fat tissue (R). Obese patients had significantly lower B-type natriuretic peptide (p = 0.03) and atrial natriuretic peptide (p = 0.04) levels compared with nonobese. Low levels of circulating natriuretic peptides are thus associated with obesity and may also contribute to the development of heart failure (R). ANP increases cGMP levels, which induce hormone-sensitive lipase and perilipin A (R). ANP is a powerful fat busting agent, independent of the activation of the fight or flight nervous system, in both lean and obese people (R). Exercise and stress reduction can help increase ANP. ANP is secreted in response to (R):

• Stretching of the atrial wall.
• Reduced sympathetic stimulation of ²-adrenoceptors
• Raised sodium concentration (hypernatremia), though sodium concentration is not the direct stimulus for increased ANP secretion
• Angiotensin-II
• Endothelin, a potent vasoconstrictor
• Exercise

     From NCBI Gene: Atrial standstill 2Atrial fibrillation, familial, 6From UniProt: Atrial fibrillation, familial, 6 (ATFB6): A familial form of atrial fibrillation, a common sustained cardiac rhythm disturbance. Atrial fibrillation is characterized by disorganized atrial electrical activity and ineffective atrial contraction promoting blood stasis in the atria and reduces ventricular filling. It can result in palpitations, syncope, thromboembolic stroke, and congestive heart failure. [MIM:612201] Atrial standstill 2 (ATRST2): A rare arrhythmia characterized by the absence of electrical and mechanical activity in the atria. Electrocardiographically, it is characterized by bradycardia, the absence of P waves, and a junctional narrow complex escape rhythm. [MIM:615745]

     From NCBI Gene: The protein encoded by this gene belongs to the natriuretic peptide family. Natriuretic peptides are implicated in the control of extracellular fluid volume and electrolyte homeostasis. This protein is synthesized as a large precursor (containing a signal peptide), which is processed to release a peptide from the N-terminus with similarity to vasoactive peptide, cardiodilatin, and another peptide from the C-terminus with natriuretic-diuretic activity. Mutations in this gene have been associated with atrial fibrillation familial type 6. This gene is located adjacent to another member of the natriuretic family of peptides on chromosome 1. [provided by RefSeq, Oct 2015] From UniProt: Hormone playing a key role in cardiovascular homeostasis through regulation of natriuresis, diuresis, and vasodilation. Also plays a role in female pregnancy by promoting trophoblast invasion and spiral artery remodeling in uterus. Specifically binds and stimulates the cGMP production of the NPR1 receptor. Binds the clearance receptor NPR3.

The following transcription factors affect gene expression:

• PPAR-gamma1
• PPAR-gamma2
• GR-beta
• AP-1
• c-Jun
• Nkx2-5

Molecular Function:

• Receptor Binding
• Neuropeptide Hormone Activity
• Neuropeptide Receptor Binding

Biological Processes:

• Response To Hypoxia
• Negative Regulation Of Systemic Arterial Blood Pressure
• Cgmp Biosynthetic Process
• Transcription Initiation From Rna Polymerase Ii Promoter
• Receptor Guanylyl Cyclase Signaling Pathway
• Neuropeptide Signaling Pathway
• Female Pregnancy
• Regulation Of Blood Pressure
• Positive Regulation Of Heart Rate
• Cardiac Muscle Hypertrophy In Response To Stress
• Negative Regulation Of Cell Growth
• Response To Insulin
• Response To Muscle Stretch
• Cellular Protein Metabolic Process
• Regulation Of Blood Vessel Size
• Regulation Of Atrial Cardiac Muscle Cell Membrane Repolarization
• Positive Regulation Of Cardiac Muscle Contraction
• Cell Growth Involved In Cardiac Muscle Cell Development
• Cellular Response To Mechanical Stimulus
• Regulation Of High Voltage-Gated Calcium Channel Activity
• Positive Regulation Of Delayed Rectifier Potassium Channel Activity
• Regulation Of Calcium Ion Transmembrane Transport Via High Voltage-Gated Calcium Channel
• Positive Regulation Of Potassium Ion Export Across Plasma Membrane
• Regulation Of Cardiac Conduction
• Negative Regulation Of Collecting Lymphatic Vessel Constriction