Chapter 19, Problem 19.93QP

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation:

The evolutionary relationship suggested by the similar structures of chymotrypsin, trypsin, and elastase has to be determined.

Concept Introduction:

Proteolytic enzymes are the enzymes found in the digestive tract involved in the cleavage of the peptide bonds that constitute the primary structure of polypeptides.

Proteolytic enzymes that cleave the peptide bond are found in the pancreases and are often referred to as serine proteases because of the presence of a nucleophilic serine at the active site of the active site. They are classified on the basis of the substrate specificity. For example, the trypsin cleaves specifically at the carboxyl end of positively charged amino acids such as arginine or lysine except for the cases when they are followed by amino acid proline.