Pancreatic protease

Pancreatic proteases are a collective group of protein-digesting enzymes secreted by the exocrine pancreas into the small intestine. Their main members—trypsin, chymotrypsin, carboxypeptidase, and elastase—are synthesized as inactive precursors (zymogens) and activated in the duodenum, where they catalyze the hydrolysis of dietary proteins into oligopeptides and free amino acids. Pancreatic proteases are essential for normal digestion and nutrient absorption. Deficiency leads to malnutrition and clinical syndromes such as exocrine pancreatic insufficiency. Therapeutically, replacement enzyme preparations are used to treat malabsorption due to pancreatic disease. The term "pancreatic protease" is generic; scientifically, individual enzymes should be specified for clarity and structured data use.

Other names

proteolytic enzymes of the pancreasdigestive proteasestrypsinchymotrypsincarboxypeptidaseelastase

Digestive supplementation: Enzyme mixtures break down dietary proteins to oligopeptides and amino acids; supplements restore digestive function in pancreatic insufficiency. Inhibition (experimental): Protease inhibitors block enzyme activity, used mainly for laboratory or experimental indications.