Bartter's syndrome and the atrial natriuretic factor gene.

We investigated whether the gene for atrial natriuretic factor, a recently discovered peptide hormone with potent natriuretic, diuretic, and vasorelaxant properties, was pathogenetically linked to an uncommon but well-defined fluid and electrolyte disorder, Bartter's syndrome. Restriction fragment length polymorphisms in the atrial natriuretic factor gene were sought in a large kindred with six of 23 family members being affected. A Bgl II polymorphism, identified in two of 40 (5%) apparently normal subjects, was found in one of two first-generation family members. This polymorphism was also present in five of seven unaffected second-generation siblings but in only three of six affected siblings. The failure of the absence or the presence of the polymorphism to cosegregate with the disease clearly indicates that in this kindred, the gene for atrial natriuretic factor is not linked to Bartter's syndrome.