Effects of atriopeptin on particulate guanylate cyclase from rat adrenal.

Atriopeptin II activated particulate guanylate cyclase 5-10-fold in a concentration- and time-dependent fashion in crude membranes obtained from homogenates of rat adrenal cortex or medulla. Similar effects were observed with other atriopeptin analogs. Soluble guanylate cyclase and adenylate cyclase in these preparations were not activated. Accumulation of cyclic GMP in minces of adrenal cortex or medulla was increased 6-8-fold due to atriopeptin II activation of particulate guanylate cyclase. Several thiol-reactive agents blocked the activation of particulate guanylate cyclase, suggesting that free thiol groups on membrane proteins may be important in atriopeptin receptor-guanylate cyclase coupling.