The enzyme trypsin (present in the pancreatic juice) activates the inactive enzyme chymotrypsinogen into chymotrypsin.
`underset("(Inactive)")"Chymotrypsinogen" overset("Trypsin")rarr underset("(Active)")"Chymotrypsin"`
The activated chymotrypsin plays an important role in the further breakdown of the partially-hydrolysed proteins. `"Proteins "overset("Chymotrypsin")rarr "Peptides "`
The other digestive enzymes of the same category are trypsinogen and carboxypeptidase. These are secreted by the same source-gland, pancreas. Trypsinogen is present in an inactive form in the pancreatic juice. The enzyme enterokinase – secreted by the intestinal mucosa – activates trypsinogen into trypsin.
`"Trypsinogen " overset("Enterokinase")rarr" Trypsin + Inactive peptide"`
The activated trypsin then further hydrolyses the remaining trypsinogen and activates other pancreatic enzymes such as chymotrypsinogen and carboxypeptidase. Trypsin also helps in breaking down proteins into peptides.
`"Proteins "overset("Trypsin")rarr" Peptides"` Carboxypeptidases act on the carboxyl end of the peptide chain and help in releasing the last amino acids.
`"Peptides "overset("Carboxypeptidase")rarr" Small peptide chain + Amino acids"`