enkephalin

enkephalin
en·keph·a·lin in-'kef-ə-lən, -(.)lin n either of two pentapeptides with opiate and analgesic activity that occur naturally in the brain and have a marked affinity for opiate receptors:
a) LEUCINE-ENKEPHALIN
b) METHIONINE-ENKEPHALIN compare ENDORPHIN

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n.

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en·keph·a·lin (en-kefґə-lin) either of two simple pentapeptides having the formula H2N-Tyr-Gly-Gly-Phe-X, where X is leucine or methionine, referred to as leu-enkephalin and met-enkephalin. Although met-enkephalin is the N-terminal 5 residues of the endorphins and both enkephalins and endorphins bind to opioid receptors, the two groups derive from functionally and anatomically distinct groups of neurons. The enkephalins function as neurotransmitters or neuromodulators at many locations in the brain and spinal cord and play a part in pain perception, movement, mood, behavior, and neuroendocrine regulation; they are also found in nerve plexuses and exocrine glands of the gastrointestinal tract.

Medical dictionary. 2011.

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • enkephalin — [en kef′ə lin] n. an endorphin that occurs at nerve endings and may serve as a neurotransmitter …   English World dictionary

  • Enkephalin — protein Name=proenkephalin caption= width= HGNCid=8831 Symbol=PENK AltSymbols= EntrezGene=5179 OMIM=131330 RefSeq=NM 006211 UniProt=P01210 PDB= ECnumber= Chromosome=8 Arm=q Band=23 LocusSupplementaryData= q24An enkephalin is a pentapeptide… …   Wikipedia

  • Enkephalin — Preproenkephalin A Kalottenmodell von Met Enkephalin nach PDB  …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • enkephalin — /en kef euh lin/, n. Biochem. either of two pentapeptides that bind to morphine receptors in the central nervous system and have opioid properties of relatively short duration; one pentapeptide (Met enkephalin) has the amino acid sequence Tyr Gly …   Universalium

  • Enkephalin — En|ke|pha|lin [griech. enképhalos = Gehirn], das; s, e; S: Encephalin: aus Hirnsubstanz isolierbare Pentapeptide, die durch Blockierung der Opiat Rezeptoren schmerzmindernd wirken (sog. Opioid Peptide). Das synthetisch zugängliche Met Enkephalin… …   Universal-Lexikon

  • enkephalin — enkefalinas statusas T sritis chemija apibrėžtis Peptidas, veikiantis galvos smegenų morfininius centrus. atitikmenys: angl. enkephalin rus. энкефалин …   Chemijos terminų aiškinamasis žodynas

  • enkephalin — noun Etymology: enkephal (alteration of encephal ) + in Date: 1975 either of two pentapeptides with opiate and analgesic activity that occur naturally especially in the brain and have a marked affinity for opiate receptors compare endorphin …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • enkephalin — noun Any of a group of pentapeptide endorphins that have opiate like effects …   Wiktionary

  • Enkephalin — En|ke|pha|lin vgl. ↑Enzephalin …   Das große Fremdwörterbuch

  • enkephalin — n. natural chemical having opiate characteristics that is secreted in the brain and spinal cord and acts as painkiller (Biochemistry) …   English contemporary dictionary

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