chymotrypsin

[ kahy-moh-trip-sin ]

noun

, Biochemistry.

1. a proteolytic enzyme, found in pancreatic juice, that catalyzes the hydrolysis of proteins into polypeptides and amino acids.

chymotrypsin

/ ˌkaɪməʊˈtrɪpsɪn /

noun

1. a powerful proteolytic enzyme secreted from the pancreas in the form of chymotrypsinogen, being converted to the active form by trypsin

Other Words From

• chy·mo·tryp·tic [kahy-moh-trip-tik], adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of chymotrypsin¹

First recorded in 1930–35; chyme + -o- + trypsin

Word History and Origins

Origin of chymotrypsin¹

C20: from chyme + trypsin

Example Sentences

Tom worked with David Blow on interactions of the enzyme chymotrypsin with its substrates, and Joan with Francis Crick, Sydney Brenner and Mark Bretscher on messenger RNA.

From Nature

As they investigated subtilisin's complex structure, the scientists realized that it had a curious similarity to another enzyme, chymotrypsin, common to all vertebrates, including man.

From Time Magazine Archive

In the presence of cancers, West found, the chymotrypsin inhibitor is greatly multiplied.

From Time Magazine Archive