Amino acid chain

noun

1. Any of various amides that are derived from two or more amino acids by combination of the amino group of one acid with the carboxyl group of another and are usually obtained by partial hydrolysis of proteins

noun

1. The chemical bond between carbon and nitrogen in a peptide linkage

noun

1. The divalent group CONH that unites the amino acid residues in a peptide

noun

1. A peptide hormone secreted by the cardiac atria that in pharmacological doses promotes salt and water excretion and lowers blood pressure

noun

1. Beta-amyloid

   "In Alzheimer's, the possible infectious agent under scrutiny is a protein called amyloid-beta best known as the main ingredient in the hulking, sticky gobs of plaque found in the brains of people with the disease."

noun

1. An amyloid that is derived from a larger precursor protein and is the primary component of plaques characteristic of Alzheimer's disease

   "… beta-amyloid is the main component of the plaques, or brain lesions, found in the estimated 4 million Americans afflicted with Alzheimer's disease."

noun

1. Any of various of endogenous polypeptides (such as an endorphin or enkephalin) produced by neurons of the peripheral and central nervous system

   "The people who rated pain the lowest were those whose brains began producing natural painkillers called opioids the fastest …"

2. Any of various opiates (such as morphine), semisynthetic opiate derivatives (such as heroin, hydrocodone, or oxycodone), or synthetic preparations (such as fentanyl or methadone) that may be used illicitly for their narcotic properties and are associated with physiological tolerance see tolerance, physical and psychological dependence, or addiction upon repeated or prolonged use

   "… fentanyl, a synthetic opioid at least 75 times more potent than morphine."