Gliadorphin
Encyclopedia
Gliadorphin is an opioid peptide
that is formed during digestion of the gliadin
component of the gluten
protein. It is usually broken down into amino acid
s by digestion enzyme
s. It has been hypothesized that children with autism
have abnormal leakage from the gut of this compound, which then passes into the brain and disrupts brain function. This is partly the basis for the gluten-free, casein-free diet
. Studies of this diet have had important methodological flaws, and the scientific evidence is not adequate to make treatment recommendations.
Opioid peptide
Opioid peptides are short sequences of amino acids that bind to opioid receptors in the brain; opiates and opioids mimic the effect of these peptides. Opioid peptides may be produced by the body itself, for example endorphins. The effects of these peptides vary, but they all resemble opiates...
that is formed during digestion of the gliadin
Gliadin
Gliadin is a glycoprotein present in wheat and several other cereals within the grass genus Triticum. Gliadins are prolamins and are separated on the basis of electrophoretic mobility and isoelectric focusing.- Types :...
component of the gluten
Gluten
Gluten is a protein composite found in foods processed from wheat and related grain species, including barley and rye...
protein. It is usually broken down into amino acid
Amino acid
Amino acids are molecules containing an amine group, a carboxylic acid group and a side-chain that varies between different amino acids. The key elements of an amino acid are carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, and nitrogen...
s by digestion enzyme
Enzyme
Enzymes are proteins that catalyze chemical reactions. In enzymatic reactions, the molecules at the beginning of the process, called substrates, are converted into different molecules, called products. Almost all chemical reactions in a biological cell need enzymes in order to occur at rates...
s. It has been hypothesized that children with autism
Autism
Autism is a disorder of neural development characterized by impaired social interaction and communication, and by restricted and repetitive behavior. These signs all begin before a child is three years old. Autism affects information processing in the brain by altering how nerve cells and their...
have abnormal leakage from the gut of this compound, which then passes into the brain and disrupts brain function. This is partly the basis for the gluten-free, casein-free diet
Gluten-free, casein-free diet
A gluten-free casein-free diet eliminates dietary intake of the naturally occurring proteins gluten and casein .-Controversial autism diet:...
. Studies of this diet have had important methodological flaws, and the scientific evidence is not adequate to make treatment recommendations.
- Structure: Tyr-Pro-Gln-Pro-Gln-Pro-Phe
- Molecular weight: 875.43 g/mol