The penk gene encodes a prepropeptide that is cleaved to produce multiple endogenous opioid peptides, including met-enkephalin and leu-enkephalin, which function as neuropeptides and signaling molecule...[+]

The penk gene encodes a prepropeptide that is cleaved to produce multiple endogenous opioid peptides, including met-enkephalin and leu-enkephalin, which function as neuropeptides and signaling molecules. These peptide hormones are involved in neurotransmission and neuromodulation within the brain, spinal cord, and sympathetic ganglia. Localization of penk mRNA and its protein products is observed in neurons of the telencephalon, diencephalon, mesencephalon, hindbrain, and retina. The processed peptides are secreted and can bind to opioid receptors. [-]

ClinVar, ClinGen, MalaCards, KEGG Disease, DECIPHER, COSMIC, MARRVEL, GTR, DisGeNET, dbVAR, GHR, gnomAD