cathepsin

American  

[kuh-thep-sin] / kəˈθɛp sɪn /

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.

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cathepsin British  

/ kəˈθɛpsɪn /

noun

1. a proteolytic enzyme responsible for the autolysis of cells after death

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Other Word Forms

• catheptic adjective

Etymology

Origin of cathepsin

1925–30; < Greek kathéps(ein) to digest ( kat- cat- ( def. ) + hépsein to boil) + -in ²

Example Sentences

When cathepsin activity is restored, liver cells become better equipped to process and eliminate harmful fats and waste.

From Science Daily

K11777 inhibits many cathepsin types, i.e. blocks their function.

From Science Daily

"In follow-up experiments, we proved our hypothesis that the compound prevents cathepsin L from cleaving and opening up the viral capsid," says Mara Klöhn.

From Science Daily

The clinical potential of this test was also demonstrated by the detection of cathepsin B, a protease related to colorectal cancer, in three different tumor cell lines obtained from patients.

From Science Daily

To determine whether cathepsin B might, in fact, be involved in brain health, the researchers added a little of the protein to living neurons in other petri dishes.

From New York Times