noun
- Enzymes that break peptide bonds within the interior of a protein or polypeptide chain, rather than at the ends.
Usage: technical; biochemistry; plural form of endopeptidase
Examples
- Endopeptidases are essential for protein digestion in the stomach and small intestine.
- Pepsin and trypsin are examples of endopeptidases used in biochemical research.
- The body produces various endopeptidases to break down dietary proteins into smaller fragments.
- Endopeptidases cleave peptide bonds at internal sites, unlike exopeptidases which work at the chain ends.
- Scientists study endopeptidases to understand how cells regulate protein degradation.