zymogen

noun

zy·​mo·​gen ˈzī-mə-jən 

: an inactive protein precursor of an enzyme secreted by living cells and converted (as by a kinase or an acid) into an active form

called also proenzyme

Word History

Etymology

International Scientific Vocabulary

First Known Use

1877, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

zymogen

noun

zy·​mo·​gen ˈzī-mə-jən 

: an inactive protein precursor of an enzyme secreted by living cells and converted (as by a kinase or an acid) into an active form

called also proenzyme