Novel Insights into the Mechanisms Regulating Pro-Atrial Natriuretic Peptide Cleavage in the Heart and Blood Pressure Regulation. Proprotein Convertase Subtilisin/Kexin 6 Is the Corin Activating Enzyme

The biologically active carboxyterminal peptide (αANP), a cardiac hormone that regulates blood pressure through natriuretic, diuretic, and vasorelaxant properties, is released from cleavage of a precursor pro-atrial natriuretic peptide (pro-ANP) form by corin. A recently published study in Nature Medicine identified proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin 6 (PCSK6), a component of the PCSK protease family, as the natural corin activating enzyme. This key processing step of pro-ANP seems to contribute to blood pressure homeostasis and hence to hypertension development.