zymogen

Noun

Meaning

A mother substance, or antecedent, of an enzyme or chemical ferment; -- applied to such substances as, not being themselves actual ferments, may by internal changes give rise to a ferment.

Source: Webster's dictionary

Synonyms

proenzyme proteolytic enzyme cymogen enzyme precursor immunoreactive trypsinogen digestive enzyme latent enzyme pancreatic enzyme pancreatic protease precursor enzyme trypsin precursor trypsinogen-10 trypsinogen-12 trypsinogen-2 trypsinogen-3
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Hypernyms

organic compound

Examples

In order to prevent inappropriate or premature activation of the digestive enzymes (they may, for example, trigger pancreatic self-digestion causing pancreatitis ), these enzymes are secreted as inactive zymogen. Source: Internet

He originally believed those substances to be precursors of antibodies, just as zymogen is a precursor of an enzyme. Source: Internet

In bacteria, a similar strategy of employing an inactive zymogen or prezymogen is used. Source: Internet

Close letter words and terms

zymocide zymocin zymodeme zymogene zymogenesis zymogenic