C-TYPE NATRIURETIC PEPTIDE (32-53) (HUMAN, PORCINE, RAT)

Description

CNPs are ancient members of the natriuretic peptide family, which is characterized by the absence of C-terminal tail extensions from the intramolecular ring. In mammals, CNP is highly expressed in the brain, vascular endothelial cells, and chondrocytes, and acts locally as a paracrine/autocrine factor. CNP was isolated in 1990 from the killifish brain, and shortly thereafter from the pig brain. Four distinct CNPs (CNP1–4) were then discovered in 2003 from teleost genome databases. Later, comparative genomic analyses inferred that only CNP4 is retained in mammals, CNP1 and CNP3 in birds, CNP3 and CNP4 in amphibians, CNP1–4 in most teleosts, CNP3 in elasmobranchs, and CNP4 or CNP4-like NP in cyclostomes.

General Description

Natriuretic Peptide, C-Type (NPPC/ CNP) is a 22 amino acid peptide encoded by NPPC gene mapped to human chromosome 2q37.1. It belongs to the natriuretic peptide family.

Biochem/physiol Actions

C-type natriuretic peptide is produced in the hypothalamus, anterior pituitary, and most major endocrine glands. It has potent venodilatory and coronary vasodilatory effects, but minimal effects on renal function.

Clinical Use

CNP has not been used as a diagnostic or therapeutic tool. Several studies suggested potential uses of CNP, such as for the treatment for growth disorders and as a biomarker of growth plate activity.

Storage

Store at -20°C

Structure and conformation

Human proCNP consists of 103 aa residues with a bioactive mature CNP at the C-terminus. All four types of CNPs consist of 22 aa residues except for some teleost CNP4. Like other NPs, CNPs have a 17 aa intramolecular ring, but lack a C-terminal tail sequence. CNPs are the most conserved NPs, although they contain different groups of peptides. The sequence identity of mature CNP4 is >95% in mammals, except for unique CNP in the little brown bat (Myotis lucifugus). CNP1 and CNP3 are also well conserved (both >80% identity) in each vertebrate class that possesses both peptides. In contrast, CNP2 in teleosts is not so conserved. Although major CNPs are of different types among vertebrate classes, mature sequences are highly conserved among these CNPs, suggesting that CNPs have undergone convergent evolution.