enkephalin
[ en-kef-uh-lin ]
/ ɛnˈkɛf ə lɪn /
noun Biochemistry.
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
Words nearby enkephalin
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
Medical definitions for enkephalin
enkephalin
[ ĕn-kĕf′ə-lĭn ]
n.
Either of two closely related pentapeptides having opiate qualities and occurring especially in the brain and spinal cord.