[Natriuretic peptides]

Natriuretic peptides are the family of structurally related peptides involved into regulation of volume and blood pressure, water and electrolyte metabolism, and also cell proliferation. Their effects are mediated via three types of membrane receptors. Two of them are receptor guanylate cyclases, which catalyze cGMP formation (from GTP), second intracellular messenger responsible for realization of regulatory signals of these hormones. Genetic defects resulting in deficit of natriuretic peptides or their functionally active receptors in transgenic mice cause development of arterial hypertension, myocardial hypertrophy and increased mortality in early age.