Guanylyl cyclases (GC) are widely distributed enzymes that signal via the production of the
second messenger cGMP. The particulate guanylyl cyclases share a similar topology: an
extracellular ligand binding domain and intracellular regulatory kinase-homology and
cyclase catalytic domains. The natriuretic peptide receptors GC-A and-B mediate the effects
of a family of peptides, atrial, B-and C-type natriuretic peptide (ANP, BNP and CNP,
respectively), with natriuretic, diuretic and vasorelaxant properties. ANP and BNP, through …