Natriuretic Peptide
A family of peptide hormones (ANP, BNP, CNP) that regulate blood pressure and fluid balance by promoting sodium excretion and vasodilation. BNP is a diagnostic biomarker for heart failure. Vosoritide, a CNP analogue, is approved for achondroplasia — demonstrating how natriuretic peptide biology extends beyond cardiovascular applications.
Technical Context
The natriuretic peptide family acts through guanylyl cyclase receptors (not GPCRs): ANP and BNP activate NPR-A (natriuretic peptide receptor A), which generates cGMP; CNP activates NPR-B; and NPR-C (clearance receptor) removes all three peptides from circulation. cGMP signalling promotes vasodilation, natriuresis, diuresis, and suppression of RAAS and sympathetic nervous system. ANP (28 aa) is released from atrial cardiomyocytes in response to atrial stretch. BNP (32 aa) is released from ventricular cardiomyocytes in response to wall stress (its precursor proBNP is cleaved to active BNP and inactive NT-proBNP). CNP (22 aa or 53 aa) is primarily produced by vascular endothelium and cartilage growth plate cells — vosoritide exploits CNP's growth plate activity for achondroplasia treatment.