Natriuretic substances were purified from rat atrium (atrial natriuretic factor, ANF) and were shown to be identical with the inhibitor of norepinephrine-induced contraction of smooth muscle. Four native forms were isolated and their amino acid sequences were determined. The presence of a high-molecular-weight prohormone was shown. Complementary DNA (cDNA) encoding for the precursor was cloned and used to deduce the amino acid sequence of the prohormone. Genomic DNA for ANF was cloned and two introns were found. Several ANF peptides were synthesized. Structure-function studies showed that the ring structure was essential for the activity. Antibodies produced against the synthetic 25-amino acid residue ANF were used to develop a radioimmunoassay. The presence of ANF in rat plasma demonstrated that ANF is a circulating hormone. ANF was also found in the hypothalamus of rats. The ANF in plasma was found to be a low-molecular form, whereas that in atria and hypothalamus consisted of both the high-molecular-weight precursor and low-molecular-weight active ANF. The presence of messenger RNA for ANF was determined using ANF cDNA as a probe and was considered as evidence for ANF synthesis in the brain, atrium, and ventricles. ANF was shown to be released from the brain. ANF administered intracerebroventricularly was shown to inhibit angiotensin II and thirst-induced dipsogenesis. In vitro and in vivo experiments showed ANF inhibits release of vasopressin from posterior pituitary and renin from the kidneys. The hypotensive effect of ANF was examined at various doses.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)