enterokinase

9.9

An enzyme in the small intestine that turns trypsinogen into trypsin to help digest proteins

noun
/ˌɛntəroʊˈkaɪneɪs/

Specialized

: enterokinasa

Scientists studied how enterokinase activates trypsinogen during the digestive process.

Examples

Enterokinase plays a crucial role in the digestion of proteins in the small intestine.
A deficiency in enterokinase can lead to problems with protein metabolism.
The enterokinase enzyme is crucial for digestion.
Many studies focus on how enterokinase activates trypsinogen.
The role of enterokinase in activating trypsinogen is essential for proper protein digestion.
Research has shown that enterokinase is necessary for the conversion of trypsinogen into trypsin in the intestine.
Without adequate levels of enterokinase, the body cannot effectively process dietary proteins.

Surface Forms

enterokinase singular

enterokinases plural

Morphology

enterokinase = kinase (semi-transparent) = entero + kinase

The prefix 'entero-' clearly signals 'intestinal' and '-kinase' signals an enzyme class, so learners get a partial clue, but '-kinase' is misleading here because enterokinase is actually a protease activating trypsinogen rather than a phosphotransferase.

Etymology

Enterokinase comes from entero- meaning 'intestine' and -kinase from a Greek word meaning 'to move', used for enzymes that 'turn on' other proteins. So Enterokinase is an enzyme in the intestine that 'turns on' the digestive enzyme trypsin.