METHIONINE ENKEPHALIN Meaning and
Definition
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Methionine enkephalin is a naturally occurring neuropeptide that functions as a neurotransmitter and neuromodulator in the human body. It is a short-chain peptide composed of five amino acids: methionine, glycine, leucine, enkephalin, and methionine.
As a neuropeptide, methionine enkephalin is primarily found in the central nervous system and can be released by various neurons. It acts on specific receptors, notably the opioid receptors, which are involved in pain modulation and the regulation of mood. Methionine enkephalin has been shown to have analgesic properties, reducing the perception of pain by binding to these receptors.
Additionally, methionine enkephalin has been associated with mood regulation, as it influences the release of other neurotransmitters such as dopamine and serotonin, which are important for emotional well-being. It is believed to play a role in stress responses and the body's natural pain-relief mechanisms.
Methionine enkephalin is also involved in the immune system response, participating in the regulation of inflammation and immune cell activity. It can affect the function of immune cells, such as T-cells and natural killer cells, and modulate the production of cytokines, which are important signaling molecules in the immune system.
Overall, methionine enkephalin is a neuropeptide with various functions in the human body, including pain modulation, mood regulation, and immune system modulation. Further research is ongoing to explore its potential therapeutic applications in pain management, mental health disorders, and immune-related conditions.
Common Misspellings for METHIONINE ENKEPHALIN
- nethionine enkephalin
- kethionine enkephalin
- jethionine enkephalin
- mwthionine enkephalin
- msthionine enkephalin
- mdthionine enkephalin
- mrthionine enkephalin
- m4thionine enkephalin
- m3thionine enkephalin
- merhionine enkephalin
- mefhionine enkephalin
- meghionine enkephalin
- meyhionine enkephalin
- me6hionine enkephalin
- me5hionine enkephalin
- metgionine enkephalin
- metbionine enkephalin
- metnionine enkephalin
- metjionine enkephalin
- metuionine enkephalin
Etymology of METHIONINE ENKEPHALIN
The word "Methionine Enkephalin" has its etymology rooted in both Greek and scientific nomenclature.
"Methionine" refers to an amino acid that is essential for protein synthesis, named after its discovery in a protein extracted from casein by John Howard Mueller and William H. Peterson in 1922. The term is derived from the Greek word "methion", meaning "spirits of wine" or "wine", via the French word "méthionine".
"Enkephalin" is a term that originates from the Greek words "en" meaning "in" and "kephalē" meaning "head". It was coined by John Hughes, who discovered these naturally occurring opioid peptides in the 1970s. The term refers to their presence in the brain and their ability to act as endogenous opioids.
