Membrane Guanylate Cyclases as Potential Targets of Guanylins

Guanylins are intestinal natriuretic peptides that regulate water-salt balance at the level of the intestine and kidney. The main receptor through which guanylin peptides influence electrolyte balance is membrane guanylate cyclase C. Alternative functions related to food behavior and olfactory preferences are implemented by guanylins through guanylate cyclase D, expressed exclusively in olfactory neurons. At the same time, there is the evidence for alternative yet undefined "natriuretic" receptors activated by guanylin peptides in the absence of guanylate cyclase C. Among these receptors, there are those that trigger a cGMP-dependent signaling pathway that is specific to guanylate cyclases. This review provides a comparative analysis of existing data on different membrane guanylate cyclases, including both early discoveries and modern studies, with an emphasis on considering different types of membrane guanylate cyclases as potential targets of guanylins' action.