ca·thep·sin (k -th p s n)n. Any of various proteolytic enzymes found in animal tissue that catalyze the hydrolysis of proteins into polypeptides. [German Kathepsin, from Greek kathepsein, to digest : kat-, kata-, cata- + hepsein, to boil.] |
cathepsin [kəˈθɛpsɪn]
n
(Life Sciences & Allied Applications / Biochemistry) a proteolytic enzyme responsible for the autolysis of cells after death
[from Greek kathepsein to boil down, soften]
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