peptidase

Breaks protein bonds

Peptidase is an enzyme that breaks down proteins by cleaving the bonds between amino acids.

The term is interchangeable with protease in most contexts: Digestive peptidases help the body absorb nutrients from food.

Different peptidases target different parts of protein chains—some cut at the ends, others in the middle.

catalysis

active site

Enzyme region binding substrates

hydrolysis · mechanism · cofactor · activation · inhibition · kinetics · affinity · Michaelis-Menten · turnover · product release

enzymetype

protease

Protein-cleaving enzyme

  • trypsinPancreatic digestive protease
  • pepsinGastric protein-cleaving enzyme
  • papainPapaya-sourced protein dissolver

zymogen · proenzyme

digestion

proteolysis

Enzymatic protein breakdown

trypsin · absorption · dietary protein · gastric juice · duodenum

cellbiology

catabolism

Metabolic molecular dismantling

processing · maturation · apoptosis · quality control

Opposites
enzyme substrate specificity

peptidaselipase

Fat-dissolving enzyme

nuclease · amylase · phosphatase · esterase · kinase

biochemical function

peptidaseligase

Bond-creating enzyme

ribosome

Family

peptide, polypeptide, peptides, tripeptide

Familiarity
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Profile
Used worldwide · Timeless · Rated G