Names | |
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IUPAC name
(2R)-2-[[(2R)-2-[[2-[[2-[[(2R)-2-amino-3-
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Other names
[Leu]enkephalin; [Leu5]enkephalin;
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Identifiers | |
3D model (JSmol)
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ChEBI | |
ChEMBL | |
ChemSpider | |
ECHA InfoCard | 100.055.852 |
PubChem CID
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UNII | |
CompTox Dashboard (EPA)
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Properties | |
C28H37N5O7 | |
Molar mass | 555.62 g/mol[1] |
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa).
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Leu-enkephalin is an endogenous opioid peptide neurotransmitter with the amino acid sequence Tyr-Gly-Gly-Phe-Leu that is found naturally in the brains of many animals, including humans.[2][3] It is one of the two forms of enkephalin; the other is met-enkephalin.[2] The tyrosine residue at position 1 is thought to be analogous to the 3-hydroxyl group on morphine.[4] Leu-enkephalin has agonistic actions at both the μ- and δ-opioid receptors, with significantly greater preference for the latter. It has little to no effect on the κ-opioid receptor.[5][6]
A nasal spray formulation of leu-enkephalin (developmental code names NES-100, NM-0127, NM-127, PES-200; proposed brand name Envelta) is under development by Virpax Pharmaceuticals for the treatment of pain and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).[7] As of November 2023, it is up to the preclinical stage of development for these indications.[7]