Hormone which plays a role in endochondral ossification through regulation of cartilaginous growth plate chondrocytes proliferation and differentiation (By similarity). May also be vasoactive and natriuretic (PubMed:1672777). Acts by specifically binding and stimulating NPR2 to produce cGMP (PubMed:1672777, PubMed:21098034). Binds the clearance receptor NPR3 (PubMed:11533490). In the kidney, predominantly expressed in the distal tubular cells (at protein level). Degraded by IDE (in vitro). Belongs to the natriuretic peptide family.