Selective localization of C atrial natriuretic peptide receptors in the rat brain.

We studied the distribution of C atrial natriuretic peptide (C-ANP) receptors in the rat brain after incubation with 125I-rANP, and competition with the selective C-ANP receptor competitor C-ANP(4-23) (10(-6) M). C-ANP receptors were selectively localized to a few structures, the external plexiform layer of the olfactory bulb, the arachnoid mater and the choroid plexus, and their amount corresponds to 25%, 75% and 35%, respectively, of the ANP specific binding. These data suggest specialized functions for C-ANP receptors in brain.