cathepsin

noun

ca·​thep·​sin kə-ˈthep-sən 

: any of several intracellular proteases of animal tissue that aid in autolysis

Examples of cathepsin in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The injectable hydrogel responds to cathepsin overexpression in an inflammatory environment. —William A. Haseltine, Forbes, 28 Feb. 2024

Another signaling molecule, cathepsin B, triggers beneficial changes in the brain, including the production of new brain cells. —Bob Holmes, Discover Magazine, 26 Dec. 2019

Fortunately, Gerwick had encountered cathepsin inhibitors before. —Stephanie Stone, Smithsonian Magazine, 2 Sep. 2021

Word History

Etymology

Greek kathepsein to digest (from kata- cata- + hepsein to boil) + English -in entry 2

First Known Use

1929, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

cathepsin

noun

ca·​thep·​sin kə-ˈthep-sən 

: any of a class of proteases present in most animal tissues (as in kidney, liver, and spleen) that catalyze the hydrolysis of proteins to polypeptides

Cathepsins are lysosomal proteases that cleave their substrates with relatively low specificity.

—Arthur M. Krieg et al., Science

Recent investigations by several research groups, working with organisms as diverse as worms and monkeys, implicate cathepsins flooding the cytoplasm as a major cause of necrotic cell death.

—Nektarios Tavernarakis, New Scientist

catheptic

-tik 

adjective

catheptic enzymes

catheptic activity