Kyotorphin is a dipeptide that contains two amino acids, L-tyrosine and L-arginine. L-tyrosine is a polar amino acid known for producing noradrenaline and dopamine. L-arginine is a negatively charged aminio acid and can interact with a polar atmosphere. Kyotorphin contains many functional groups such as, a carboxylic acid group that can act as a hydrogen bond donor and acceptor, a hydroxyl group that provides a polar end that can participate in hydrogen bonding with water, two amino groups that can act as a base and pick up hydrogen from a surrounding water solution, and a carbonyl group. This biomolecule is a part of the central nervous system and found in the brain and spinal fluid in animals and humans and was originally found in a bovine brain in 1979 (1). Because of where it is located, this dipeptide is more commonly referred to as a neuropeptide. A very interesting function of Kyotorphin, is that it can serve as analgesic by regulating pain in the bodies of humans and animals. …show more content…
The specific receptor for Kyotorphin is located in the membrane preparation region of the brain and it also functions as a neurotransmitter. Once activated, the receptor releases methionine-enkephalin and antinociception (4). Methionine-enkephaline is commonly referred to as opioid growth factor and is a naturally occurring opioid with a short duration of pain relief (6). According to Merriam-Webster dictionary, antinociception is defined as being the action of blocking the detection of painful stimuli. It has been found that animals, such as rats and monkeys, can degrade kyotorphin but this degradation can be inhibited by the competitive inhibitor, bestatin (5). Ultimately, Kyotorphin is an essential component of the human central nervous system and brain of animals in order to prevent unwanted