PENK Gene Summary [Human]

This gene encodes a preproprotein that is proteolytically processed to generate multiple protein products. These products include the pentapeptide opioids Met-enkephalin and Leu-enkephalin, which are stored in synaptic vesicles, then released into the synapse where they bind to mu- and delta-opioid receptors to modulate the perception of pain. Other non-opioid cleavage products may function in distinct biological activities. [provided by RefSeq, Jul 2015]

Details

Type
Protein Coding
Official Symbol
PENK
Official Name
proenkephalin [Source:HGNC Symbol;Acc:HGNC:8831]
Ensembl ID
ENSG00000181195
Bio databases IDs NCBI: 5179 Ensembl: ENSG00000181195
Aliases proenkephalin, preproenkephalin
Synonyms ENK, HUMENK2, [Met5]enkephalin, Met-Enk, PE, Pea, PENK1, Penk2, PENK-A, Penk-rs, PPA, PPE, Ppenk, Preproenkephalin, proenkephalin, proenkephalin A
Species
Human, Homo sapiens
OrthologiesMouseRat

Protein Domains

A protein domain is a distinct structural or functional region within a protein that can evolve, function, and exist independently of the rest of the protein chain. These domains in human PENK often fold into stable, three-dimensional structures and are associated with specific biological functions, such as binding to DNA, other proteins, or small molecules.
  • Vertebrate endogenous opioids neuropeptide
  • signal sequence domain
  • G-protein-coupled receptor binding
  • receptor agonist activity
  • protein binding
  • neuropeptide hormone
  • opioid peptide

Pathways

Biological processes and signaling networks where the PENK gene in human plays a role, providing insight into its function and relevance in health or disease.

Top Findings

The most significant associations for this gene, including commonly observed domains, pathway involvement, and functional highlights based on current data.
disease
  • Alzheimer disease
  • motor dysfunction
  • Huntington disease
  • endometriosis
  • osteoarthritis
  • allodynia
  • hypertension
regulated by
  • TNF
  • dopamine
  • barium chloride
  • 8-bromo-cAMP
  • PKA catalytic subunit
  • Tax
  • IL4
  • DRD2
  • 6-hydroxydopamine
  • heavy metal
regulates
role in cell
  • expression in
  • phosphorylation in
  • proliferation
  • activity
  • growth
  • quantity
  • binding
  • chemotaxis
  • desensitization
  • hyperpolarization

Subcellular Expression

Locations within the cell where the protein is known or predicted to be active, providing insight into its function and cellular context.
  • Extracellular Space
  • membrane fraction
  • secretory granule lumen
  • Cytoplasm
  • organelle lumens
  • vesicles
  • endoplasmic reticulum lumen
  • neurites
  • nerve ending
  • synapse
  • secretory vesicles
  • secretory granules
  • perikaryon
  • axons
  • dendrites
  • axon terminals
  • mossy fibers

Gene Ontology Annotations

Describes the biological processes, cellular components, and molecular functions associated with the human PENK gene, providing context for its role in the cell.

Biological Process

Functions and activities the gene product is involved in
  • locomotory exploration behavior
  • response to toxin
  • response to ethanol
  • response to hypoxia
  • aggressive behavior
  • response to epinephrine stimulus
  • startle response
  • osteoblast differentiation
  • transmission of nerve impulse
  • general adaptation syndrome, behavioral process
  • opioid receptor signaling pathway
  • signal transduction
  • synaptic transmission
  • response to nicotine
  • behavioral fear response
  • sensory perception
  • cellular response to transforming growth factor beta stimulus
  • neuropeptide signaling pathway
  • positive regulation of behavioral fear response
  • response to calcium ion
  • cellular response to cAMP
  • response to estradiol stimulus
  • sensory perception of pain
  • cellular response to oxidative stress
  • response to lipopolysaccharide
  • response to immobilization stress
  • glial cell proliferation
  • cellular response to vitamin D

Cellular Component

Where in the cell the gene product is active
  • synaptic vesicle lumen
  • endoplasmic reticulum lumen
  • dendrite
  • symmetric synapse
  • cell body fiber
  • chromaffin granule lumen
  • neuronal cell body
  • perikaryon
  • extracellular region
  • axon terminus
  • plasma membrane

Molecular Function

What the gene product does at the molecular level
  • opioid peptide activity
  • opioid receptor binding
  • neuropeptide hormone activity

Gene-Specific Assays for Results You Can Trust

Streamline your workflow with assays designed for this gene. Our targeted dPCR and qPCR assays help you generate meaningful data – efficiently and accurately.