Peptides Codex
ENFR
← Home
Peptide hormone (natriuretic peptide)

B-type natriuretic peptide

B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) is a 32-residue hormone secreted by cardiac ventricles in response to wall stretch. Cleaved from proBNP alongside the inactive NT-proBNP fragment, it promotes natriuresis, diuresis and vasodilation and is widely used as a heart-failure biomarker. This page is educational and not medical advice.

By The Peptides Codex Editorial TeamReviewed July 10, 2026
Length
32 aa
Class
Peptide hormone (natriuretic peptide)
Function
Diuresis, natriuresis and vasodilation via NPR-A
Context
Cardiovascular physiology and heart-failure biomarker research

A ventricular hormone whose blood level (with NT-proBNP) is a key heart-failure marker.

Also known as: BNP · BNP-32 · brain natriuretic peptide · NPPB

Part of the Foundational & therapeutic peptides cluster

Overview

B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) is a 32-residue hormone secreted by cardiac ventricles in response to wall stretch. Cleaved from proBNP alongside the inactive NT-proBNP fragment, it promotes natriuresis, diuresis and vasodilation and is widely used as a heart-failure biomarker. This page is educational and not medical advice.

Source & context

Biological / chemical source: Secreted by cardiac ventricles; encoded by the NPPB gene

Primary research or clinical context: Cardiovascular physiology and heart-failure biomarker research

Processing and receptor

proBNP is cleaved into the active 32-residue BNP and the inactive N-terminal fragment NT-proBNP. Like ANP, BNP signals through NPR-A and cGMP, but it is released mainly from ventricular myocytes when ventricular volume and pressure rise.

Biomarker relevance

Because circulating BNP and NT-proBNP rise with ventricular strain, they are central laboratory markers in heart-failure research and management. The synthetic analog nesiritide reflects therapeutic interest in the natriuretic-peptide pathway.

FAQ about B-type natriuretic peptide

What is B-type natriuretic peptide?+

B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) is a 32-residue hormone secreted by cardiac ventricles in response to wall stretch. Cleaved from proBNP alongside the inactive NT-proBNP fragment, it promotes natriuresis, diuresis and vasodilation and is widely used as a heart-failure biomarker. This page is educational and not medical advice.

Is B-type natriuretic peptide an approved medicine?+

B-type natriuretic peptide is discussed here as a research / educational topic. Cardiovascular physiology and heart-failure biomarker research. This is not medical advice.

What is the typical length of B-type natriuretic peptide?+

B-type natriuretic peptide is commonly described as approximately 32 amino acids (Peptide hormone (natriuretic peptide)).

Related peptides

Met-enkephalin
Neuropeptide
Met-enkephalin (YGGFM) is an endogenous opioid pentapeptide foundational to pain and reward neurobiology research.
Atrial natriuretic peptide
Peptide hormone (natriuretic peptide)
Atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) is a 28-residue cardiac hormone secreted by the atria in response to stretch. Encoded by NPPA, it signals through the NPR-A guanylyl-cyclase receptor to promote sodium and water excretion, vasodilation and reduced blood volume. This page is educational and not medical advice.
C-type natriuretic peptide
Peptide hormone (natriuretic peptide)
C-type natriuretic peptide (CNP) is a 22-residue peptide of the natriuretic family that acts locally rather than as a circulating natriuretic hormone. Signaling through NPR-B and cGMP, it regulates endochondral bone growth, vascular tone and neuronal function. This page is educational and not medical advice.
Histrelin
GnRH agonist (nonapeptide analog)
Histrelin is a synthetic GnRH agonist peptide administered as a subcutaneous implant that releases drug continuously over about a year. It is an approved prescription medicine for central precocious puberty in children and for hormone-sensitive prostate cancer in adults. This page is educational and is not medical advice.

References & further reading

  1. 1.Wikipedia — Brain natriuretic peptide 32
  2. 2.Wikipedia — Natriuretic peptide
  3. 3.PMC — Brain Natriuretic Peptide and its clinical issues in heart failure
Disclaimer: Educational content only. Not medical advice. Not instructions for human use. Research peptides and unapproved products may be restricted or illegal to market for human consumption in your jurisdiction. Consult qualified professionals and applicable law.
You might also like: All peptides · Atlas · Research · Tools
Cite this: Peptides Codex — B-type natriuretic peptide educational profile.
Tip: Use browser print (Ctrl/Cmd + P) for a clean PDF of this page.