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proenzyme

American  
[proh-en-zahym] / proʊˈɛn zaɪm /

noun

Biochemistry.

  1. any of a group of proteins that are converted to active enzymes by partial breakdown, as by the action of an acid or other enzyme.

proenzyme British  
/ prəʊˈɛnzaɪm /

noun

  1. the inactive form of an enzyme; zymogen

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of proenzyme

First recorded in 1895–1900; pro- 1 + enzyme

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Chief cells—Located primarily in the basal regions of gastric glands are chief cells, which secrete pepsinogen, the inactive proenzyme form of pepsin.

From Textbooks • Jun. 19, 2013

When in this stage, the compound is known as "proenzyme," or "zymogen."

From The Chemistry of Plant Life by Thatcher, Roscoe Wilfred

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.