Question

How does trypsin break down protein?

Answer 1

Breakdown of protein by Trypsin:

1. Trypsin is synthesized in the pancreas and released into the duodenum via the pancreatic duct.
2. It is in the proenzyme stage (trypsinogen) initially and is activated by the enzyme enterokinase by proteolytic cleavage.
3. It activates other enzymes; Like the conversion of chymotrypsinogen into chymotrypsin and procarboxypeptidases into carboxypeptidases.
4. These enzymes catalyse the hydrolysis of peptide bonds of proteins, peptones and proteoses and breaks them into smaller molecules (like dipeptides).
5. These hydrolysed molecules are then further acted upon by other enzymes, like dipeptidases, to produce amino acids.
6. Digestion by trypsin is a key step in protein digestion and makes the simplified amino acids available for absorption.