Biomaterial Database

[Endomorphins--endogenous ligands of the mu-opioid receptor]. 2009

Renata Perlikowska, and Jakub Fichna, and Anna Janecka

Zakład Chemii Biomolekularnej, Uniwersytet Medyczny w Łodzi, Łódź, Poland.

Two endogenous opioid peptides with extremely high mu-opioid receptor affinity and selectivity, endomorphin-1 and endomorphin-2, were: discovered and isolated from the mammalian brain in 1997. Endomorphins are amidated tetrapeptides, structurally different from so called typical opioids: enkephalins, dynorphins and endorphins. A protein precursor of endomorphins and a gene encoding their sequence remain unknown. Endomorphins are unable to cross the blood-brain barrier because of their low hydrophobicity. In animal models, these peptides turned out to be very potent in relieving neuropathic and inflammatory pain. In comparison with morphine, a prototype opioid receptor ligand, endomorphins produces less undesired side effects. In this article we describe the discovery of endomorphins, their cellular localization and functions in the organism, as well as their structure-activity relationships and biodegradation pathways.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D009842	Oligopeptides	Peptides composed of between two and twelve amino acids.	Oligopeptide
D010146	Pain	An unpleasant sensation induced by noxious stimuli which are detected by NERVE ENDINGS of NOCICEPTIVE NEURONS.	Suffering, Physical,Ache,Pain, Burning,Pain, Crushing,Pain, Migratory,Pain, Radiating,Pain, Splitting,Aches,Burning Pain,Burning Pains,Crushing Pain,Crushing Pains,Migratory Pain,Migratory Pains,Pains, Burning,Pains, Crushing,Pains, Migratory,Pains, Radiating,Pains, Splitting,Physical Suffering,Physical Sufferings,Radiating Pain,Radiating Pains,Splitting Pain,Splitting Pains,Sufferings, Physical
D001921	Brain	The part of CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM that is contained within the skull (CRANIUM). Arising from the NEURAL TUBE, the embryonic brain is comprised of three major parts including PROSENCEPHALON (the forebrain); MESENCEPHALON (the midbrain); and RHOMBENCEPHALON (the hindbrain). The developed brain consists of CEREBRUM; CEREBELLUM; and other structures in the BRAIN STEM.	Encephalon
D000818	Animals	Unicellular or multicellular, heterotrophic organisms, that have sensation and the power of voluntary movement. Under the older five kingdom paradigm, Animalia was one of the kingdoms. Under the modern three domain model, Animalia represents one of the many groups in the domain EUKARYOTA.	Animal,Metazoa,Animalia
D013329	Structure-Activity Relationship	The relationship between the chemical structure of a compound and its biological or pharmacological activity. Compounds are often classed together because they have structural characteristics in common including shape, size, stereochemical arrangement, and distribution of functional groups.	Relationship, Structure-Activity,Relationships, Structure-Activity,Structure Activity Relationship,Structure-Activity Relationships
D017450	Receptors, Opioid, mu	A class of opioid receptors recognized by its pharmacological profile. Mu opioid receptors bind, in decreasing order of affinity, endorphins, dynorphins, met-enkephalin, and leu-enkephalin. They have also been shown to be molecular receptors for morphine.	Morphine Receptors,Opioid Receptors, mu,Receptors, Morphine,Receptors, mu,Receptors, mu Opioid,mu Receptors,Morphine Receptor,mu Opioid Receptor,mu Receptor,Opioid Receptor, mu,Receptor, Morphine,Receptor, mu,Receptor, mu Opioid,mu Opioid Receptors
D023421	Models, Animal	Non-human animals, selected because of specific characteristics, for use in experimental research, teaching, or testing.	Experimental Animal Models,Laboratory Animal Models,Animal Model,Animal Model, Experimental,Animal Model, Laboratory,Animal Models,Animal Models, Experimental,Animal Models, Laboratory,Experimental Animal Model,Laboratory Animal Model,Model, Animal,Model, Experimental Animal,Model, Laboratory Animal,Models, Experimental Animal,Models, Laboratory Animal