How Does Trypsinogen Work?

Trypsinogen (/ˌtrɪpˈsɪnədʒən, -ˌdʒɛn/) is the precursor form (or zymogen) of trypsin, a digestive enzyme. ... Once activated, the trypsin can cleave more trypsinogen into trypsin, a process called autoactivation. Trypsin cleaves the peptide bond on the carboxyl side of basic amino acids such as arginine and lysine.

How trypsinogen is activated?

Trypsinogen is activated by enterokinase, which cleaves an amino-terminal activation peptide (TAP). Active trypsin then cleaves and activates all of the other pancreatic proteases, a phospholipase, and colipase, which is necessary for the physiological action of pancreatic triglyceride lipase.

What converts trypsinogen?

Enteropeptidase (also called enterokinase) is an enzyme produced by cells of the duodenum and is involved in digestion in humans and other animals. Enteropeptidase converts trypsinogen (a zymogen) into its active form trypsin, resulting in the subsequent activation of pancreatic digestive enzymes.