Β-Endorphin

Β-Endorphin is a peptide that is produced in the pituitary gland and the hypothalamus in vertebrates during exercise, excitement, pain, consumption of spicy food, love and orgasm, and it resembles the opioids in its abilities to produce analgesia and a feeling of well-being.

Structure and Function

Β-Endorphin is a peptide, 31 amino acids in length, resulting in a molecular weight of approximately 3465 daltons. It is a part of the opioid peptide family and is encoded by the POMC gene. The peptide sequence is: Tyr-Gly-Gly-Phe-Met-Thr-Ser-Glu-Lys-Ser-Gln-Thr-Pro-Leu-Val-Thr-Leu-Phe-Lys-Asn-Ala-Ile-Ile-Lys-Asn-Ala-Tyr-Lys-Lys-Gly-Glu.

Β-Endorphin binds to the same opioid receptors as morphine and shows similar pharmacological effects. It is thought to be involved in reward, pain modulation and the body's response to stress.

Clinical Significance

Β-Endorphin has been shown to play a role in various conditions such as depression, anxiety, chronic pain and dependence. It is also thought to be involved in the feeling of 'runner's high', which is a state of euphoria experienced by some individuals after prolonged exercise.

Research and Future Directions

Research is ongoing to further understand the role of Β-Endorphin in the body and how it can be harnessed for therapeutic purposes. Potential areas of interest include the development of drugs that can mimic the effects of Β-Endorphin without the risk of dependence, and the use of Β-Endorphin as a biomarker for certain conditions.

See Also

• Opioid peptide
• POMC
• Opioid receptor
• Morphine