Given this, along with other studies showing that NDP-α-MSH has protective effects in cardiovascular disease models such as myocardial infarct [6–8], we hypothesized that NDP-α-MSH treatment, through its vascular effects and a probable natriuretic property, translates into therapeutic benefits in an animal model of hypertension. The gene discussed is STAMBP; the disease is myocardial infarction.