Kyotorphin Explained

Kyotorphin (L-tyrosyl-L-arginine) is a neuroactive dipeptide which plays a role in pain regulation in the brain. It was first isolated from bovine brain, by Japanese scientists in 1979.^[1] Kyotorphin was named for the site of its discovery, Kyoto, Japan and because of its morphine- (or endorphin-) like analgesic activity. Kyotorphin has an analgesic effect, but it does not interact with the opioid receptors. Instead, it acts by releasing met-enkephalin and stabilizing it from degradation. It may also possess properties of neuromediator/neuromodulator. It has been shown that kyotorphin is present in the human cerebrospinal fluid and that its concentration is lower in patients with persistent pain.^[2]

Notes and References

1. Takagi H, Shiomi H, Ueda H, Amano H . A novel analgesic dipeptide from bovine brain is a possible Met-enkephalin releaser . Nature . 282 . 5737 . 410–2 . November 1979 . 228202 . 10.1038/282410a0.
2. Nishimura K, Kaya K, Hazato T, Ueda H, Satoh M, Takagi H . [Kyotorphin like substance in human cerebrospinal fluid of patients with persistent pain] . ja . Masui . 40 . 11 . 1686–90 . November 1991 . 1766121 .