Natriuretic peptide precursor C, also known as NPPC, is a protein that in humans is encoded by the NPPC gene. [5] [6] [7] The precursor NPPC protein is cleaved to the 22 amino acid peptide C-type natriuretic peptide (CNP).
Natriuretic peptides 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, diuretic, and vasodilating activities and are implicated in body fluid homeostasis and blood pressure control. [5] 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). [8] It is synthesized and secreted from the endothelium in response to many stimuli, for example shear stress, similar to nitric oxide (NO) [9] , and certain proinflammatory cytokines. [10]