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Cyclic Guanosine Monophosphate

Meaning

A crucial intracellular second messenger molecule, often abbreviated as cGMP, that plays a central role in mediating and amplifying extracellular signals within the cell. This nucleotide derivative is synthesized from guanosine triphosphate (GTP) by the enzyme guanylate cyclase and is involved in a wide array of physiological processes, including smooth muscle relaxation, platelet aggregation, and phototransduction in the retina. In the context of hormonal health, cGMP is a key downstream effector of nitric oxide signaling, regulating vascular tone and blood flow. Its concentration is tightly regulated by synthesis and degradation via phosphodiesterase enzymes.