NPPA

NPPA Full Name

natriuretic peptide A

NPPA Introduction

The hormone Natriuretic peptide A (NPPA) also known as atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) originates from atrial cardiomyocytes which produce it as a response to myocardial stretch and volume overload and elevated blood pressure. The hormone NPPA from the natriuretic peptide family activates NPR-A receptors which trigger cyclic GMP signaling pathways within cells. The system functions as a vital cardiovascular mechanism which controls blood volume and pressure through renal and vascular and hormonal responses. The heart expresses NPPA as its primary site but the hormone also appears at reduced levels in ventricles and brain tissues to perform additional physiological functions.

Figure 1. Role of natriuretic peptides in fat metabolism and glucose handling.(Source: Vinnakota S, et al.; 2020)

NPPA functions to stimulate natriuresis and diuresis and vasodilation which decreases cardiac preload and afterload. The hormone functions to stop the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) and sympathetic nervous system from operating to maintain exact blood pressure and fluid balance. NPPA affects lipid metabolism and endothelial function and myocardial remodeling in addition to its cardiovascular effects. The hormone regulates cell growth and fibrosis development to stop dangerous heart enlargement and it acts as an internal blood pressure controller for cardiovascular protection.

The clinical presentation of NPPA expression changes and activity alterations occurs in various cardiovascular diseases. The plasma levels of NPPA show increased concentrations in patients with heart failure and atrial fibrillation and hypertension which makes them useful for disease diagnosis and prediction of outcomes. The development of genetic mutations or NPPA deficiencies leads to inherited hypertension and left ventricular hypertrophy and cardiac stress response impairment. The therapeutic potential of NPPA signaling becomes possible through synthetic analogs and neprilysin inhibitors which enhance NPPA activity to treat heart failure and manage fluid accumulation.

Alternate Names for NPPA

ANF; ANP; ANH, Atrial natriuretic factor; Atrial natriuretic peptide; CDD ANF; CDD-ANF; CDP; Natriuretic Peptide Precursor A; NPPA; PND; Prepronatriodilatin; Pronatriodilatin; Pro-ANP; Pro-Atrial Natriuretic Peptide (a.a. 1-30);

• 1.Vinnakota S, Chen HH. The Importance of Natriuretic Peptides in Cardiometabolic Diseases. J Endocr Soc. 2020, 4(6):bvaa052.