PROTEOLYTIC ENZYME

Pronunciation (US): (GB):

Meaning:

Any enzyme that catalyzes the splitting of proteins into smaller peptide fractions and amino acids by a process known as proteolysis

Synonyms:

peptidase; protease; proteinase; proteolytic enzyme

Classified under:

Nouns denoting substances

Hypernyms ("proteolytic enzyme" is a kind of...):

enzyme (any of several complex proteins that are produced by cells and act as catalysts in specific biochemical reactions)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "proteolytic enzyme"):

caspase (any of a group of proteases that mediate apoptosis)

ACE; angiotensin-converting enzyme; angiotensin converting enzyme (proteolytic enzyme that converts angiotensin I into angiotensin II)

plasminogen activator; urokinase (protease produced in the kidney that converts plasminogen to plasmin and so initiates fibrinolysis)

renin (a proteolytic enzyme secreted by the kidneys; catalyzes the formation of angiotensin and thus affects blood pressure)