A 14 amino acid synthetic peptide.
Binds to and activates the guanylin cyclase C receptor on the luminal surface of the intestinal epithelium.
Activation of the guanylate cyclase C generates cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) intracellularly and extracellularly.
Within intestinal epithelial cells increased cGMP triggers a signal transduction cascade activating the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator.
This activitity causes chloride and bicarbonate secretion into the intestinal lumen and accelerates intestinal transit.
Significantly reduces bowel and abdominal symptoms in patients with chronic constipation.