by Ngai Wing Keung Clement. / Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 1992. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 172-206). / Chapter 1. --- Acknowledgment --- p.iv / Chapter 2. --- Abstract --- p.v / Chapter 3. --- Lists of Tables and Figures --- p.vii / Chapter 4. --- General Introduction --- p.1 / Chapter 5. --- Review of Literature --- p.5 / Chapter 5.1. --- Historical Background of Natriuretic Peptides --- p.5 / Chapter 5.2. --- Secretion of Natriuretic Peptides --- p.8 / Chapter 5.3. --- Structure and Function Relationships --- p.12 / Chapter 5.4. --- Physiological Actions --- p.17 / Chapter 5.5. --- Natriuretic Peptide Receptors and Second Messengers --- p.22 / Chapter 5.6. --- Clinical Implications --- p.28 / Chapter 5.7. --- Review on Astrocytes --- p.31 / Chapter 6. --- General Materials and Methods --- p.43 / Chapter 6.1. --- Sources of Chemicals --- p.43 / Chapter 6.2. --- Culture of Mouse Astrocytes --- p.43 / Chapter 6.3. --- Culture of human astrocytoma cells --- p.57 / Chapter 6.4. --- Protein Determination --- p.57 / Chapter 6.5. --- Gamma Counting --- p.58 / Chapter 6.6. --- Beta Counting --- p.58 / Chapter 7. --- Receptor Identification and Characterization --- p.59 / Chapter 7.2 --- Materials and Methods --- p.60 / Chapter 7.3 --- Results --- p.66 / Chapter 7.4 --- Discussion --- p.81 / Chapter 8. --- Second Messenger Systems --- p.83 / Chapter 8.1 --- Introduction --- p.83 / Chapter 8.2 --- Materials and Methods --- p.85 / Chapter 8.3 --- Results --- p.97 / Chapter 8.4 --- Discussion --- p.109 / Chapter 9. --- Biological Actions of Natriuretic Peptides --- p.113 / Chapter 9.1. --- Potassium Transport --- p.113 / Chapter 9.1.1. --- Introduction --- p.113 / Chapter 9.1.2. --- Materials and Methods --- p.116 / Chapter 9.1.3. --- Results --- p.121 / Chapter 9.1.4. --- Discussion --- p.131 / Chapter 9.2 --- Taurine Release --- p.135 / Chapter 9.2.1. --- Introduction --- p.135 / Chapter 9.2.2. --- Materials and Methods --- p.137 / Chapter 9.2.3. --- Results --- p.139 / Chapter 9.2.4. --- Discussion --- p.143 / Chapter 9.3 --- Thymidine Incorporation --- p.144 / Chapter 9.3.1. --- Introduction --- p.144 / Chapter 9.3.2. --- Materials and Methods --- p.146 / Chapter 9.3.3. --- Results --- p.148 / Chapter 9.3.4. --- Discussion --- p.156 / Chapter 10. --- Interaction with Other Hormonal Systems --- p.160 / Chapter 10.1 --- Introduction --- p.160 / Chapter 10.2 --- Materials and Methods --- p.162 / Chapter 10.3 --- Result --- p.163 / Chapter 10.4 --- Discussion --- p.167 / Chapter 11. --- Conclusion --- p.169 / Chapter 12. --- References --- p.172 / Chapter 13. --- Appendix --- p.208