Abstract

Corin is a transmembrane serine protease expressed in cardiomyocytes, cleaves pro-ANP and proBNP into biologically active peptide hormones. Like many membrane proteins, corin is shed from the cell surface. By promoting salt and water excretion, the corin and the atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) system should help to maintain fluid balance in heart failure. Yet, the development of fluid retention despite high levels of ANP-related peptides suggests that this compensatory system is limited. Low corin levels and impaired pro-ANP cleavage may contribute to pathogenesis of heart failure and that plasma corin may be used as a biomarker in the diagnosis of heart failure.

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