enkephalin

[ en-kef-uh-lin ]

noun

, Biochemistry.

1. 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-Gly-Phe-Met and the other Leu enkephalin has the sequence Tyr-Gly-Gly-Phe-Leu.

enkephalin

/ ɛnˈsɛfəlɪn; ɛnˈkɛfəlɪn /

noun

1. a chemical occurring in the brain, having effects similar to those of morphine See also endorphin

Word History and Origins

Origin of enkephalin¹

1970–75; < Greek enképhal ( os ) encephalon + -in ²

Example Sentences

Two years later, British biologists discover enkephalins, a group of endogenous opioids — or endorphins.

From Nature

Researchers discovered in the 1970s that we also make our own opioids in the form of peptides like the endorphins and enkephalins.

From Forbes

A great example of how difficult the process is concerns molecules called enkephalins.

From Scientific American

For example, once they understood the structure of enkephalins, pain-control substances found naturally in the body, they were able to make progress in developing new pain-killing drugs.

From New York Times

"If we could deliver the gene that makes enkephalins," he says, "they could be released from cells directly into the nervous system and potentially reduce pain in a more targeted fashion."

From Time