Binding characteristics of atrial natriuretic factor and the production of cyclic GMP in kidneys of Dahl salt-sensitive and salt-resistant rats.

The binding of atrial natriuretic factor (ANF) was studied in kidney membranes of inbred salt-sensitive (S) and inbred salt-resistant (R) rats on high or low salt diet. Important differences between strains were seen in the rate of dissociation of ANF from its renal receptor(s) and this was dependent on salt (NaCl) intake. On low salt diet ANF dissociation rates were similar between strains. R rats responded to high salt diet with a decrease in the rate of ANF dissociation from its renal receptor, but ANF dissociation in S rats was not altered by dietary salt. Receptor density was similar between strains. Basal cGMP production was slightly higher for renal membranes of S rats, but ANF stimulation of cGMP production was similar between strains and was not influenced by salt intake in either strain. Since strain-related salt-induced changes in ANF-receptor binding kinetics were not reflected in any strain-related salt-induced changes in ANF stimulated cGMP production, it is tentatively concluded that the ANF receptor likely to be different between S and R strains is the ANF receptor not linked to cGMP production.