cathepsin Hear it!

cathepsin definition

ca·thep·sin (kə t̸hep′sin)

noun

any of several intracellular enzymes that act as catalysts in the breakdown of protein

Etymology: < Gr kathepsein, boil down, soften < kata-, down (see cata-) + hepsein, boil + -in

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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