These peptides possess potent natriuretic, diuretic, and vasodilating activities and are implicated in body fluid homeostasis and blood pressure control.

[5] Unlike ANP and BNP, CNP does not have direct natriuretic activity.

This is because CNP is a selective agonist for the B-type natriuretic receptor (NPRB) whereas ANP and BNP are selective for the A-type natriuretic receptor (NPRA).

[8] It is synthesized and secreted from the endothelium in response to many stimuli, for example shear stress (like NO[clarification needed]) and certain proinflammatory cytokines.

This article on a gene on human chromosome 2 is a stub.