Question

At which sites do the proteases act in the small intestine?

Answer 1

Proteases are the proteolytic enzymes found in an alimentary canal. Proteases are secreted by the mucosal cells of small intestine. Small intestine receives the proteases synthesized in the pancreas through the hepato-pancreatic duct into the lumen of the small intestine. The proteases responsible for the terminal stage of digestion are not found free in lumen but are embedded on the microvilli of the intestine. So, from here we can say that the lumen, surface of microvilli and the mucosal cells of the small intestine are the sites where proteases act.