ANF-like peptide(s) in the peripheral autonomic nervous system.

The recent demonstration of the atrial natriuretic factor (ANF) within the brain has been extended in the present study by the additional localization of ANF-like activity in the peripheral nervous structures. Using a sensitive radioimmunoassay, it was possible to detect ANF-like immunoreactive peptide(s) in crude and chromatographically separated extracts of parasympathetic rat ganglia. The partially purified ANF-like peptide exhibited a biological action similar to cardiac ANF. This finding supports a possible involvement of ANF in the regulation of both, central and peripheral neuronal activities.