cathepsin

[ kuh-thep-sin ]
/ kəˈθɛp sɪn /

noun Biochemistry.

any of a class of intracellular proteolytic enzymes, occurring in animal tissue, especially the liver, spleen, kidneys, and intestine, that catalyze autolysis in certain pathological conditions and after death.

Origin of cathepsin

1925–30; < Greek kathéps(ein) to digest ( kat- cat- + hépsein to boil) + -in2

OTHER WORDS FROM cathepsin

ca·thep·tic [kuh-thep-tik] /kəˈθɛp tɪk/, adjective

Words nearby cathepsin

cathedra, cathedral, cathedral ceiling, cathedral glass, cathedral hull, cathepsin, cather, cather, willa, catherine, catherine de médicis, catherine de' medici

British Dictionary definitions for cathepsin

cathepsin
/ (kəˈθɛpsɪn) /

noun

a proteolytic enzyme responsible for the autolysis of cells after death

Word Origin for cathepsin

C20: from Greek kathepsein to boil down, soften