We examined the kinetics of internalization, trafficking, and down-regulation of recombinant guanylyl cyclase/natriuretic peptide receptor-A (NPRA) utilizing stably transfected 293 cells expressing a very high density of receptors. After atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) binding to NPRA, ligand-receptor complexes are internalized, processed intracellularly, and sequestered into subcellular compartments, which provided an approach to examining directly the dynamics of metabolic turnover of NPRA in intact cells. The translocation of ligandreceptor complexes from cell surface to intracellular compartments seems to be linked to ANP-dependent down-regulation of NPRA. Using tryptic proteolysis of cell surface receptors, it was found that ϳ40 -50% of internalized ligand-receptor complexes recycled back to the plasma membrane with an apparent t1 ⁄2 ‫؍‬ 8 min. The recycling of NPRA was blocked by the lysosomotropic agent chloroquine, the energy depleter dinitrophenol, and also by low temperature, suggesting that recycling of the receptor is an energy-and temperature-dependent process. Data suggest that ϳ70 -80% of internalized 125 I-ANP is processed through a lysosomal degradative pathway; however, 20 -25% of internalized ligand is released intact into the cell exterior through an alternative mechanism involving an chloroquine-insensitive pathway. It is implied that internalization and processing of bound ANP-NPRA complexes may play an important role in mediating the biological action of hormone and the receptor protein. In retrospect, this could occur at the level of receptor regulation or through the initiation of ANP mediated signals. It is envisioned that the endocytotic pathway of ligand-receptor complexes of ANP-NPRA would lead to termination and/or diminished responsiveness of ANP in target cells.

We have studied cardiovascular and renal phenotypes in Npr1 (genetic determinant of natriuretic peptide receptor-A; NPRA) gene-disrupted mutant mouse model. The baseline systolic arterial pressure (SAP) in 0-copy mutant (-/-) mice (143 +/- 2 mmHg) was significantly higher than in 2-copy wild-type (+/+) animals (104 +/- 2 mmHg); however, the SAP in 1-copy heterozygotes (+/-) was at an intermediate value (120 +/- 4 mmHg). To determine whether Npr1 gene function affects the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS), we measured the components of RAAS in plasma, kidney, and adrenal gland of 0-copy, 1-copy, and 2-copy male mice. Newborn (2 days after the birth) 0-copy pups showed 2.5-fold higher intrarenal renin contents compared with 2-copy wild-type counterparts (0-copy 72 +/- 12 vs. 2-copy 30 +/- 7 microg ANG I. mg protein(-1). h(-1), respectively). The intrarenal ANG II level in 0-copy pups was also higher than in 2-copy controls (0-copy 33 +/- 5 vs. 2-copy 20 +/- 2 pg/mg protein, respectively). However, both young (3 wk) and adult (16 wk) 0-copy mutant mice showed a dramatic 50-80% reduction in plasma renin concentrations (PRCs) and in expression of renal renin message compared with 2-copy control animals. In contrast, the adrenal renin content and mRNA expression levels were 1.5- to 2-fold higher in 0-copy adult mice than in 2-copy animals. The results suggest that inhibition of renal and systemic RAAS is a compensatory response that prevents greater increases in elevated arterial pressures in adult NPRA null mutant mice. However, the greater renin and ANG II levels seen in 0-copy newborn pups provide evidence that the direct effect of NPRA activation on renin is an inhibitory response.

We have previously demonstrated that nitric oxide (NO) exerts a greater modulatory influence on renal cortical blood flow in ANG II-infused hypertensive rats compared with normotensive rats. In the present study, we determined nitric oxide synthase (NOS) activities and protein levels in the renal cortex and medulla of normotensive and ANG II-infused hypertensive rats. Enzyme activity was determined by measuring the rate of formation of L-[(14)C]citrulline from L-[(14)C]arginine. Western blot analysis was performed to determine the regional expression of endothelial (eNOS), neuronal (nNOS), and inducible (iNOS) isoforms in the renal cortex and medulla of control and ANG II-infused rats. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were prepared by the infusion of ANG II at a rate of 65 ng/min via osmotic minipumps implanted subcutaneously for 13 days and compared with sham-operated rats. Systolic arterial pressures were 127 +/- 2 and 182 +/- 3 mmHg in control (n = 13) and ANG II-infused rats (n = 13), respectively. The Ca(2+)-dependent NOS activity, expressed as picomoles of citrulline formed per minute per gram wet weight, was higher in the renal cortex of ANG II-infused rats (91 +/- 11) than in control rats (42 +/- 12). Likewise, both eNOS and nNOS were markedly elevated in the renal cortex of the ANG II-treated rats. In both groups of rats, Ca(2+)-dependent NOS activity was higher in the renal medulla than in the cortex; however, no differences in medullary NOS activity were observed between the groups. Also, no differences in medullary eNOS levels were observed between the groups; however, medullary nNOS was decreased by 45% in the ANG II-infused rats. For the Ca(2+)-independent NOS activities, the renal cortex exhibited a greater activity in the control rats (174 +/- 23) than in ANG II-infused rats (101 +/- 10). Similarly, cortical iNOS was greater by 47% in the control rats than in ANG II-treated rats. No differences in the activity were found for the renal medulla between the groups. There was no detectable signal for iNOS in the renal medulla for both groups. These data indicate that there is a differential distribution of NOS activity, with the Ca(2+)-dependent activity and protein expression higher in the renal cortex of ANG II-infused rats compared with control rats, and support the hypothesis that increased constitutive NOS activity exerts a protective effect in ANG II-induced hypertension to maintain adequate renal cortical blood flow.

To explore the genes responsible for myocardial infarction and restenosis after percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty, we performed association studies of the polymorphisms of the angiotensinogen and angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) genes. In the first study, normotensive myocardial infarction patients (n = 103) and control subjects (n = 103), who were matched for established risk factors with the myocardial infarction patients, were randomly selected. The angiotensinogen-TT genotype (T indicates threonine instead of methionine at position 235) was more frequent in the myocardial infarction group than in the control group (P < .05). The ACE-DD genotype (D indicates a deletion polymorphism in intron 16) was also more frequent in the myocardial infarction group (P < .0001). The odds ratio estimated by the combined analysis of the angiotensinogen-TT and ACE-DD genotypes (11.2) was markedly increased compared with that estimated separately from the angiotensinogen-TT (1.75) or ACE-DD (4.43) genotype. In the second study, we investigated 91 consecutive patients with acute myocardial infarction who underwent successful direct angioplasty. Combined analysis showed that the angiotensinogen-TT genotype did not enhance the predictability of myocardial infarction from the ACE-DD genotype. In conclusion, the angiotensinogen-TT genotype is a predictor for myocardial infarction, as well as the ACE-DD genotype, and the combined analysis of the angiotensinogen-TT and ACE-DD genotypes further enhanced the predictability of myocardial infarction in Japanese, suggesting its future clinical usefulness.

Insomnia is a common symptom, not only in the adult population but also in many astronauts. Hypnotics, such as temazepam (a benzodiazepine) and zolpidem (an imidazopyridine), are often taken to relieve insomnia. Temazepam has been shown clinically to have hemodynamic side effects, particularly in the elderly; however, the mechanism is not clear. Zolpidem does not cause hemodynamic side effects. The purpose of this study was to determine whether the use of different hypnotics during spaceflight might contribute significantly to the high incidence of postflight orthostatic hypotension, and to compare the findings in astronauts with clinical research. Astronauts were separated into three groups: control (n = 40), temazepam (15 or 30 mg; n = 9), and zolpidem (5 or 10 mg; n = 8). In this study, temazepam and zolpidem were only taken the night before landing. The systolic and diastolic blood pressures and heart rates of the astronauts were measured during stand tests before spaceflight and on landing day. On landing day, systolic pressure decreased significantly and heart rate increased significantly in the temazepam group, but not in the control group or in the zolpidem group. Temazepam may aggravate orthostatic hypotension after spaceflight when astronauts are hemodynamically compromised. Temazepam should not be the initial choice as a sleeping aid for astronauts. These results in astronauts may help to explain the hemodynamic side effects in the elderly who are also compromised. Zolpidem may be a better choice as a sleeping aid in these populations.