N-terminal prohormone of brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) is synthesized as an inactive prohormone, which is then cleaved to release the active hormone BNP and the inactive N-terminal fragment (NT-proBNP) in response to increases in cardiac filling pressures, such as those observed during congestive heart failure or following myocardial ischemia.1 The gene discussed is NPPB; the disease is myocardial ischemia.