cathepsin

[kuh-thep-sin]

ca·thep·sin

[kuh-thep-sin]
noun Biochemistry.
any of a class of intracellular proteolytic enzymes, occurring in animal tissue, especially the liver, spleen, kidneys, and intestine, that catalyze autolysis in certain pathological conditions and after death.

Origin:
1925–30; < Greek kathéps(ein) to digest (cat- cat- + hépsein to boil) + -in2

ca·thep·tic [kuh-thep-tik] , adjective
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Cathepsin is always a great word to know.
So is aluminum. Does it mean:
Symbol: Al; atomic weight: 26.9815; atomic number: 13
Symbol: Np; atomic weight: 237; atomic number: 93
Collins
World English Dictionary
cathepsin (kəˈθɛpsɪn)
 
n
a proteolytic enzyme responsible for the autolysis of cells after death
 
[C20: from Greek kathepsein to boil down, soften]

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