Guanylyl Cyclases

Guanylyl Cyclases (GC) are a group of enzymes that, in the presence of a metal ion co-factor such as Mg²⁺ or Mn²⁺, convert guanosine-5'-triphosphate (GTP) into 3',5'-guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) and pyrophosphate. The second messenger cGMP participates in signaling by stimulating protein kinase G enzymes, altering the conductance of cGMP-gated ion channels and changing the activity of cGMP-regulated phosphodiesterases.

There are two main groups of guanylyl cyclase; soluble GC (sGC), which are the receptor for nitric oxide (NO) and transmembrane GC (pGC), which serves as a receptor for natriuretic peptides. Key physiological roles for guanylyl cyclases include regulation of cell hyperplasia, hypertrophy, migration, extracellular matrix production, cell differentiation and tumor progression. In addition, guanylyl cyclases mediate important communication between the heart, intestine and kidney to regulate blood volume and Na⁺ balance.

External sources of pharmacological information for Guanylyl Cyclases :

• IUPHAR Receptor Code

• BJP Guide

Guanylyl Cyclase Gene Data