C-type natriuretic peptide is a Schwann cell-derived factor for development and function of sensory neurons

Background Cyclic GMP (cGMP) is known to play important roles for neuronal development and neurite pathfinding. However, the regulatory mechanism which governs the synthesis of cGMP in the nervous system is not well defined. In the present study, we examined the role of C-type natriuretic peptide (CNP), which increases intracellular cGMP upon binding to its receptor, guanylyl cyclase (GC)-B, in the peripheral nervous system.