Brain Natriuretic Peptide is encoded by the BNP gene located on the Chr.1 in humans. It is firstly discovered in the porcine brain and given this name, but the protein is mainly expressed in the cardiac ventricles in human body after the excessive stretching of cardiomyocytes. The gene expresses a 134 a.a. sequence which contains a 1-26 a.a. signal peptide and 27-134 a.a. Natriuretic peptides B, and the BNP is the 32 a.a. C-terminus of natriuretic peptides B. The BNP can be cleaved in 16 chains and the rHuBNP is 1-32. BNP acts as a cardiac hormone with a variety of functions including natriuresis, diuresis, vasorelaxation, and inhibition of renin and aldosterone secretion. Additionnaly, it plays a key role in cardiovascular homeostasis, helps restore the body's salt and water balance and improves heart function.
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