A structural motif that defines the ATP-regulatory module of guanylate cyclase in atrial natriuretic factor signalling.

Atrial natriuretic factor (ANF)-dependent guanylate cyclase is a single-chain transmembrane-spanning protein, containing an ANF receptor and having catalytic activity. ANF binding to the receptor domain activates the catalytic domain, generating the second messenger cyclic GMP. Obligatory in this activation process is an intervening step regulated by ATP, but its mechanism is not known. Through a programme of site-directed and deletion mutagenesis/expression studies, we report herein the identity of a structural motif (Gly503-Arg-Gly-Ser-Asn-Tyr-Gly509) that binds ATP and amplifies the ANF-dependent cyclase activity; this, therefore, represents an ATP-regulatory module (ARM) of the enzyme, which plays a pivotal role in ANF signalling.