Guanylate cyclase

Guanylate cyclase (EC 4.6.1.2, also known as guanylyl cyclase or GC) is a lyase, an enzyme that catalyzes the conversion of guanosine triphosphate (GTP) to 3',5'-cyclic GMP and pyrophosphate. There are soluble and membrane-bound forms of guanylyl cyclases. Soluble GC (sGC) is activated by nitric oxide, most notably involved in vasodilation. Membrane-bound forms are receptors: GC-A & GC-B for natriuretic factors such as atrial natriuretic factor (ANF), and GC-C for guanylin.