Beta-Endorphin
Beta-Endorphin — A 31-amino acid endogenous opioid neuropeptide produced by the pituitary gland, studied for its role in pain modulation and stress response.
What Is Beta-Endorphin?
Beta-endorphin is a 31-amino acid endogenous opioid peptide derived from proopiomelanocortin (POMC), the same precursor that generates alpha-MSH and ACTH. It is the most potent endogenous agonist at the mu-opioid receptor and is released during exercise, stress, and pain, producing analgesia and euphoria (the "runner's high").
Properties
- Sequence: Contains the Met-enkephalin sequence (YGGFM) at its N-terminus
- Potency: 18-33x more potent than morphine at mu-opioid receptors
- Release: Secreted by pituitary and hypothalamus. Also produced by immune cells during inflammation
- Research: Measured by radioimmunoassay or ELISA as a stress and exercise biomarker
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Beta-Endorphin?
A 31-amino acid endogenous opioid neuropeptide produced by the pituitary gland, studied for its role in pain modulation and stress response.
Why is Beta-Endorphin important in peptide research?
Beta-Endorphin is a fundamental concept in compound as it relates to peptide science. It directly influences experimental design, compound characterization, and the reliability of research outcomes across biochemistry and molecular biology disciplines.
Authority Sources
- Beta-Endorphin on Wikipedia
- Search Beta-Endorphin on PubChem (NIH)
- Research articles on ScienceDirect