Prodynorphin

Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

Prodynorphin, also known as proenkephalin B, is an

endorphins, the chemical messengers in the brain that appear most heavily involved in the anticipation and experience of pain and the formation of deep emotional bonds, and that are also critical in learning and memory.[1][2]

The gene is thought to influence perception, as well as susceptibility to drug dependence, and is expressed more readily in human beings than in other primates.

Evolutionary implications

Most humans have multiple copies of the regulatory gene sequence for prodynorphin, which is virtually identical among all primates, whereas other primates have only a single copy. In addition, most Asian populations have two copies of the gene sequence for prodynorphin, whereas East Africas, Middle Easterners, and Europeans tend to have three repetitions.[3]

The extent of regulatory gene disparities for prodynorphin, between human and primates, has gained the attention of scientists. There are very few genes known to be directly related to mankind's

Indiana University, "this is the first documented instance of a neural gene that has had its regulation shaped by natural selection during human origins."[citation needed
]

The prodynorphin

polypeptide is identical in humans and chimpanzees, but the regulatory promoter sequences have been shown to exhibit marked differences. According to Hahn, "humans have the ability to turn on this gene more easily and more intensely than other primates", a reason why regulation of this gene may have been important in the evolution of modern humans' mental capacity.[citation needed
]

See also

References

  1. PMID 3838345
    .
  2. S2CID 25878244
    .
  3. S2CID 202550535
    .

External links
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