Atrial Natriuretic Peptide (ANP) System in Frog Skin.

In this study the ultrastructure of Rana esculenta skin is described.Cytochemical methods were used to localize guanylate cyclase in the presenceof atrial natriuretic peptide and immunocytochemical methods showed the presenceof the atrial natriuretic peptide in various levels of skin. The peptide ismainly found in the epithelium and in the lymph sacs of the tela subcutanea.Its receptors are located in the same zones and are indicated by guanylatecyclase activity. We demonstrate that frog skin is a target organ for atrialnatriuretic peptide and propose that, at this level, the peptide carries out animportant osmoregulatory role. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]