Guanylin Peptides Signaling: Insights into Guanylate Cyclase C Dependent and Independent Signaling Pathways

Guanylin peptides (GPs), guanylin (GN) and uroguanylin (UGN) belong to the family of natriuretic peptides (NPs), which includes atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP), brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) and C-type natriuretic peptide (CNP). NPs activate membrane guanylate cyclases (GC), also called particulate GCs, and lead to the production of their second messenger cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP), which acts on cGMP dependent protein kinases (PKG), cGMPregulated phosphodiesterases (PDE) and cGMP–gated channels.