enkephalin
[ en-kef-uh-lin ]
nounBiochemistry.
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.
Origin of enkephalin
1Words Nearby enkephalin
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
British Dictionary definitions for enkephalin
enkephalin
encephalin (ɛnˈsɛfəlɪn)
/ (ɛnˈkɛfəlɪn) /
noun
a chemical occurring in the brain, having effects similar to those of morphine: See also endorphin
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Browse