trypsin

views updated May 09 2018

trypsin An enzyme that digests proteins (see endopeptidase; protease). It is secreted in an inactive form (trypsinogen) by the pancreas into the duodenum. There, trypsinogen is acted on by an enzyme (enterokinase) produced in the brush border of the duodenum to yield trypsin. The active enzyme plays an important role in the digestion of proteins in the anterior portion of the small intestine. It also activates other proteases in the pancreatic juice (see carboxypeptidase; chymotrypsin).

trypsin

views updated Jun 27 2018

trypsin Digestive enzyme secreted by the pancreas. It is secreted in an inactive form that is converted into active trypsin by an enzyme in the small intestine. It breaks down peptide bonds on the amino acids lysine and arginine. See also alimentary canal; digestion; digestive system

trypsin

views updated May 21 2018

trypsin A proteinase (endopeptidase) enzyme that acts primarily on the interior bonds of proteins. It is produced in the pancreas as the inactive zymogen trypsinogen, which on secretion into the intestine is converted into the active form by the intestinal enzyme enterokinase.

trypsin

views updated May 23 2018

trypsin A proteolytic enzyme of the pancreatic juice, an endopeptidase. Active at alkaline pH (8–11). Secreted as the inactive precursor, trypsinogen, which is activated by enteropeptidase.

trypsin

views updated Jun 08 2018

trypsin chief digestive enzyme of the pancreatic juice. XIX. perh. for *tripsin, f. Gr. trîpsis rubbing, f. tríbein rub; so named because first obtained by rubbing down the pancreas with glycerin; see -IN.

trypsin

views updated May 23 2018

trypsin (trip-sin) n. an enzyme that continues the digestion of proteins by breaking down peptones into smaller peptide chains (see peptidase). It is secreted by the pancreas in an inactive form, trypsinogen, which is converted in the duodenum to trypsin by the action of the enzyme enteropeptidase.