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

Omicron doesn’t use the TMPRSS2 pathway efficiently and relies more on cathepsin L to get into cells, two groups of researchers independently reported February 1 in Nature.

From Science News