A. Gressner, O. Gressner
2019
Citations
1
Influential Citations
18
Citations
Journal
Springer Reference Medizin
Abstract
Chymotrypsin is one of the most studied enzymes due to its two phase kinetics: pre-steady-state and steady state. The study of these two kinetic states gives evidence of the "Ping-Pong" mechanism, the formation of covalent complexes leading to covalent hydrolysis reactions, and the rate of the catalyzed reactions. Synthesis of chymotrypsin occurs primarily in the pancreas. Instead of the active form, however, it is produced as an inactive zymogen called chymotrypsinogen to prevent its protease activity from digesting the pancreas. Upon secretion into the lumen of the small intestine, it is converted to its active form by another enzyme called trypsin. This dependence of a different enzyme for the activation of a protease is a common way for the body to prevent the digestion of organs and other harmful enzymatic side-effects.