Three genetically different peptide families {endorphin}| include proopiomelanocortin (POMC), proenkephalins, and prodynorphin. One large exon encodes peptides derived from proenkephalin and POMC, so this gene encodes related behaviors.
locations
Pituitary-gland intermediated lobe and anterior lobe synthesize POMC. Cortex, spinal-cord neurons, adrenal medulla, and gut make proenkephalins. Gut, posterior pituitary, hypothalamus, basal ganglia, and brainstem make prodynorphin.
types
Alpha-endorphin soothes. Beta-endorphin causes analgesia. Gamma-endorphin irritates.
biology
Endorphins are neurohormones or neurotransmitters. Endorphins bind to opiate receptors to inhibit pain-information transmission and cause analgesia. Peripheral pain-receptor stimulation thresholds increase, and central pain perception becomes less sensitive. CREB regulates endorphin production.
Biological Sciences>Zoology>Organ>Endocrine Gland>Hormone>Nerve>Opioid
4-Zoology-Organ-Endocrine Gland-Hormone-Nerve-Opioid
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Date Modified: 2022.0224