Endocrine Abstracts

Several recent studies have identified Npr2 gene mutations (encoding the guanylyl cyclase B (GC-B) receptor) as causing dwarfism and achondroplasia. Npr2 null mice have a similar bone phenotype, pituitary growth hormone deficiency and female infertility. As the endogenous ligand for GC-B, C-type natriuretic peptide (CNP) is expressed at high levels in the anterior pituitary of rats and mice, we examined whether components of the natriuretic peptide system were al...

Current therapeutics target cGMP in treating erectile dysfunction and other cardiovascular disorders. In the endocrine system, cGMP mediates the vast majority of biological effects of the natriuretic peptides (ANP, BNP and CNP) acting via their specific guanylyl cyclases receptors (GC-A and GC-B). There are severe endocrine consequences for mice and humans exhibiting mutations to GC-B receptors, including achondroplasia, growth hormone deficiency and female infertility. Despit...