What is Prodynorphin and Why Does the Food Zoomer Test for It?

Endogenous opioid peptide precursor

Prodynorphin is the protein precursor to dynorphin opioid peptides that help shape nervous system and gut signaling. Measuring prodynorphin-related peptide or immune responses can reveal patterns in peptide signaling and mucosal versus systemic immune activity, offering additional context for diet-related symptoms.

View Food Zoomer

Prodynorphin

Quality and Security

High-quality testing run in a CLIA-certified and CAP-accredited lab in Santa Clara, California.

fortified-health-HIPAA-compliance-pqgjtx4popoe2n0arp68hrz8h2as5rlhgng5b2srk8 1

About Prodynorphin

${ activeTab.tab_content.text }

View ${ activeTab.tab_content.btn_label }

About Prodynorphin

Overview and History

Prodynorphin is a protein encoded by the PDYN gene that is enzymatically processed into shorter opioid peptides such as dynorphins and neoendorphins. These derived peptides bind to opioid receptors and modulate neuronal signaling, stress responses, and local tissue activity. First characterized in molecular studies of endogenous opioids, prodynorphin is mainly expressed in the central nervous system but can be present or have functional effects in peripheral tissues. Its biological role centers on controlled peptide release and receptor interaction following proteolytic processing of the larger precursor molecule.

Interpreting Highs and Lows

Higher measured prodynorphin peptide levels or stronger immune reactivity to prodynorphin-derived peptides may reflect increased peptide production, enhanced release, or greater immune exposure to these peptides. Such a pattern can be associated with shifts in local signaling or heightened mucosal/systemic immune engagement. Lower levels or weaker immune responses may reflect reduced precursor production, altered processing into active peptides, or lower immune exposure. Both high and low findings gain meaning only when considered alongside IgA/IgG results, other peptide markers, and clinical patterns from the full Food Zoomer report.

Featured Test

Prodynorphin is included in Food Zoomer to assess peptide-level biology that ties nervous system and gut signaling to immune responses. Evaluating prodynorphin-related peptides helps detect patterns of mucosal versus systemic reactivity and contributes to a layered picture of how food-related immune activity may relate to symptom clusters.

View Food Zoomer

Prodynorphin FAQs

What is Prodynorphin and why is it important?

Prodynorphin is the larger protein that cells cut into dynorphin peptides, which interact with opioid receptors in nerves and tissues. Those peptides help modulate nervous and gut signaling, stress-related responses, and local tissue activity. Tracking prodynorphin-related signals or immune responses can help map biological patterns relevant to food-related symptoms.

What does it mean if my Prodynorphin levels are low?

Low prodynorphin peptide levels or weak immune reactivity can suggest reduced precursor production, altered processing into active peptides, or limited immune exposure. This finding by itself doesn't indicate a specific condition; it is most informative when compared with IgA/IgG results and other markers on the Food Zoomer panel to reveal broader patterns.

What does it mean if my Prodynorphin levels are high?

Elevated prodynorphin peptides or stronger immune responses to them may indicate increased production or release of those peptides, or greater immune recognition. Such elevations can be associated with shifts in local signaling or immune engagement, but interpretation requires comparison with other Food Zoomer results and clinical context.

Why is Prodynorphin measured on the Food Zoomer?

Measuring prodynorphin-related peptides or immune responses adds a peptide-level view of gut–brain signaling alongside IgA and IgG measures. This helps providers spot patterns linking peptide signaling and immune activity to diet-related symptoms, supporting more precise interpretation of the overall panel.

Browse Articles

Gluten and Autoimmunity: What Celiac Clues Might Be Hiding

Gluten, a protein found in wheat, barley, rye, and related grains, is a staple in many diets worldwide. And for many individuals, it’s harmless to con...

Nancy Guberti, M.S., C.N.

Jul 2, 2025

Autoimmunity Food Reactions

Food Sensitivity vs. Allergies: What's the Difference?

Food Sensitivities vs. Allergies: Understanding the Difference with Advanced Testing

Many patients struggle with chronic symptoms like bloating, fatigue, and migraines but don’t get clear answers from standard allergy tests. As a healt...

Melissa Brescia

Mar 31, 2025

Food Reactions

Vibrant Research Spotlight: Food Sensitivity Clinical Trial

Food sensitivities can significantly impact health, causing symptoms like gastrointestinal distress, skin issues, and fatigue. Diagnosing and treating...

Jamie Haleva

Jul 29, 2024

Food Reactions Research & Innovation

The Link Between Diet and Disease: Insights from Food Sensitivity Testing

The diet and disease relationship is well established and has gained significant attention in the face of chronic ailments that may be rooted in poor ...

Jamie Haleva

Jul 15, 2024

Autoimmunity Food Reactions Longevity

About Vibrant:

The Experts Behind  Every Test

Our team is built on collaboration across disciplines to advance the science of wellness and longevity. At Vibrant Wellness, lab scientists, technologists, clinical researchers, doctors, practitioners, longevity advisors, engineers, and regulatory experts work side by side to transform diagnostics.

By uniting diverse expertise under one mission, we pioneer precision testing that empowers providers to uncover root causes, personalize care plans, and optimize patient health outcomes. Every test we develop reflects this commitment—to push boundaries in functional medicine, deliver clear, actionable insights, and support clinicians in helping patients live healthier, longer lives.

View All Tests

Results trusted by over 18,000 functional wellness professionals

We’re the leading provider of specialty wellness lab testing because we develop our testing with rigorous, ongoing research by top clinical experts, doctors, and scientists.

The gold standard of accuracy in  the lab industry

Our tests run on a proprietary 3Dense microchip technology platform that boasts unrivaled specificity and sensitivity. While most other labs carry only CLIA certification, we're CAP-accredited by the College of American Pathologists.

Our Clinical Support Team

We understand that patient care doesn't end with diagnosis. To achieve Vibrant health, patients need clinical support and
obtainable lifestyle changes. Our clinical support team helps providers make informed treatment recommendations, resulting in  better patient outcomes.

Mary Beth Augustine

DCN, RDN, FAND- Lead Clinical Educator

Suzanne Barker

MS, RDN, LD, CTTS, CGP- Clinical Educator

Suzette Garcia

MSc- MHNE- Clinical Educator

Brooke Mader Ganev

MS, CNS, LDN, FDN- Clinical Educator

Adair Anderson

MS, RDN, LDN- Clinical Educator

Lillie Luu Nguyen

DCN, CNS, LDN- Clinical Educator

Jason Barker

ND- Clinical Educator

Emaline Brown

ND- Clinical Educator

Dana Filatova

DCN, CNS, LDN- Clinical Educator

Jessy Dhanjal

ND- Clinical Educator

Nour Amri

MS, LDN, CNS, CKNS- Clinical Educator

Ready to Elevate Your Approach to Precision Wellness?

At Vibrant Wellness, we’re redefining the future of diagnostics—making complex science clear, accessible, and actionable. Whether you're a provider advancing personalized care or a patient seeking data-driven answers, our precision testing gives you the clarity to make informed decisions. Experience the next generation of functional medicine through clinically validated insights and seamless testing solutions.

Become a Provider

Become a Patient