The natriuretic peptide (NP) family (including ANP (atrial natriuretic peptide), BNP (brain natriuretic peptide), and CNP (C-type natriuretic peptide)), the NP receptors (NPRA, NPRB, and NPRC), and the related protease convertases (furin, corin, and PCSK6) constitute the NP system and represent relevant protective mechanisms toward the development of hypertension and associated conditions, such as atherosclerosis, stroke, myocardial infarction, heart failure, and renal injury.
We investigated rs198389, a functional variant in the promoter region of the BNP gene (<i>NPPB</i>), in patients from the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities Study to investigate associations with N-terminal pro-BNP (NT-proBNP) levels and outcomes.