cathepsin

[ kuh-thep-sin ]

noun

, Biochemistry.

1. any of a class of intracellular proteolytic enzymes, occurring in animal tissue, especially the liver, spleen, kidneys, and intestine, that catalyze autolysis in certain pathological conditions and after death.

cathepsin

/ kəˈθɛpsɪn /

noun

1. a proteolytic enzyme responsible for the autolysis of cells after death

Other Words From

• ca·thep·tic [k, uh, -, thep, -tik], adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of cathepsin¹

1925–30; < Greek kathéps(ein) to digest ( kat- cat- ( def ) + hépsein to boil) + -in ²

Word History and Origins

Origin of cathepsin¹

C20: from Greek kathepsein to boil down, soften

Example Sentences

K11777 inhibits many cathepsin types, i.e. blocks their function.

From Science Daily

"In follow-up experiments, we proved our hypothesis that the compound prevents cathepsin L from cleaving and opening up the viral capsid," says Mara Klöhn.

From Science Daily

The clinical potential of this test was also demonstrated by the detection of cathepsin B, a protease related to colorectal cancer, in three different tumor cell lines obtained from patients.

From Science Daily

To determine whether cathepsin B might, in fact, be involved in brain health, the researchers added a little of the protein to living neurons in other petri dishes.

From New York Times

During that time, the concentrations of cathepsin B in the jogging animals and people steadily rose, the researchers found, and all of the runners began to perform better on various tests of memory and thinking.

From New York Times