endopeptidase

[ en-doh-pep-ti-deys, -deyz ]

noun

, Biochemistry.

1. an enzyme that catalyzes the cleavage of a polypeptide or protein at interior positions of the amino acid chain.

endopeptidase

/ ˌɛndəʊˈpɛptɪˌdeɪz /

noun

1. any proteolytic enzyme, such as pepsin, that splits a protein into smaller peptide fragments Also calledproteinase Compare exopeptidase

Word History and Origins

Origin of endopeptidase¹

First recorded in 1935–40; endo- + peptidase