BNP-32 human – Hormones

This 32 amino acid peptide contains a 17 amino acid ring structure that is common to all natriuretic peptides. It is also called the brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) because it was first identified in porcine brain- however, the main source of this peptide is not the brain but the cardiac ventricle. This cardiac neurohormone is secreted from the ventricles in response to volume expansion and pressure overload. It has natriuretic and vasodilatory effects and suppresses the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system.