C-type Natriuretic Peptide
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Natriuretic peptide precursor C, also known as NPPC, is a
protein Proteins are large biomolecules and macromolecules that comprise one or more long chains of amino acid residues. Proteins perform a vast array of functions within organisms, including catalysing metabolic reactions, DNA replication, res ...
that in humans is encoded by the ''NPPC''
gene In biology, the word gene (from , ; "... Wilhelm Johannsen coined the word gene to describe the Mendelian units of heredity..." meaning ''generation'' or ''birth'' or ''gender'') can have several different meanings. The Mendelian gene is a b ...
. The precursor NPPC protein is cleaved to the 22
amino acid Amino acids are organic compounds that contain both amino and carboxylic acid functional groups. Although hundreds of amino acids exist in nature, by far the most important are the alpha-amino acids, which comprise proteins. Only 22 alpha a ...
peptide Peptides (, ) are short chains of amino acids linked by peptide bonds. Long chains of amino acids are called proteins. Chains of fewer than twenty amino acids are called oligopeptides, and include dipeptides, tripeptides, and tetrapeptides. ...
C-type natriuretic peptide (''CNP'').


Function

Natriuretic peptide A natriuretic peptide is a peptide that induces natriuresis, which is the excretion of sodium by the kidneys. Known natriuretic peptides include the following: * atrial natriuretic peptide, also known as ANP * brain natriuretic peptide, also known ...
s comprise a family of 3 structurally related molecules: atrial natriuretic peptide ( ANP), brain natriuretic peptide ( BNP), and C-type natriuretic peptide (CNP), encoded by a gene symbolized ''NPPC''. These peptides possess potent
natriuretic Natriuresis is the process of sodium excretion in the urine through the action of the kidneys. It is promoted by ventricular and atrial natriuretic peptides as well as calcitonin, and inhibited by chemicals such as aldosterone. Natriuresis lowers ...
,
diuretic A diuretic () is any substance that promotes diuresis, the increased production of urine. This includes forced diuresis. A diuretic tablet is sometimes colloquially called a water tablet. There are several categories of diuretics. All diuretics i ...
, and vasodilating activities and are implicated in body fluid homeostasis and blood pressure control. Unlike ANP and BNP, CNP does not have direct natriuretic activity. This is because CNP is a selective agonist for the B-type natriuretic receptor ( NPRB) whereas ANP and BNP are selective for the A-type natriuretic receptor (NPRA). It is synthesized and secreted from the endothelium in response to many stimuli, for example shear stress (like ) and certain proinflammatory cytokines.


References


Further reading

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External links

* {{gene-2-stub