pepsin /pep·sin/ (pep´sin) the proteolytic enzyme of gastric juice which catalyzes the hydrolysis of native or denatured proteins to form a mixture of polypeptides; it is formed from pepsinogen in the presence of acid or, autocatalytically, in the presence of pepsin.
pepsin
pep·sin or pep·sine (p p s n)n. 1. Any of various digestive enzymes found in gastric juice that catalyze the hydrolysis of proteins to peptides. 2. A substance containing pepsin, obtained from the stomachs of hogs and calves and used as a digestive aid. |
pepsin
[pep′sin]
Etymology: Gk, pepsis, digestion
an enzyme secreted in the stomach that catalyzes the hydrolysis of protein. Preparations of pepsin obtained from pork and beef stomachs are sometimes used as digestive aids. See also enzyme, hydrolysis.
pepsin
a proteolytic enzyme that is the principal digestive component of gastric juice. It acts as a catalyst in the chemical breakdown of protein to form a mixture of polypeptides; it is formed from pepsinogen in the presence of acid or, autocatalytically, in the presence of pepsin itself. Pepsin also has milk-clotting action similar to that of rennin and thereby facilitates the digestion of milk protein.
pepsin barrier
the gastric mucosal mechanism which prevents rediffusion of hydrochloric acid back into gastric tissues; includes an electrical resistance, mucus, plus bicarbonate ions trapped in the mucus, endogenous prostaglandins.
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