Natriuretic peptide receptor 3 (NPRC)

Natriuretic peptide receptor 3 (NPRC) is one of three natriuretic peptide receptors responsible for mediating the biological actions of atrial, brain, and C-type natriuretic peptides. Unlike NPR1 and NPR2, NPRC lacks guanylyl cyclase enzymatic activity and primarily serves as a clearance receptor—binding and internalizing natriuretic peptides to regulate their local and systemic concentrations. NPRC expression is abundant in organs involved in cardiovascular and volume homeostasis (heart, kidney, adrenal gland, lung), as well as in specific regions of the central nervous system and bone[1][2][4]. Genetic variation in NPRC impacts its protein quantity and activity, with implications for blood pressure regulation, volume control, and skeletal development. Despite its lack of classical signal transduction, NPRC is a key modulator of natriuretic peptide activity and is being investigated for roles in cardiovascular and metabolic disorders[1][2][4][7].

Other names

NPR3ANPRCAtrial natriuretic peptide receptor 3Atrial natriuretic peptide clearance receptorAtrial natriuretic peptide receptor type CC5orf23

Drugs or ligands targeting NPRC bind to the extracellular domain and are cleared from circulation without triggering classical receptor signal transduction, as NPRC lacks guanylyl cyclase activity. NPRC acts by internalizing and degrading its ligands, modulating local and systemic peptide effects.