Trypsinogen

Trypsinogen is a zymogen (inactive precursor) of the digestive enzyme trypsin. It is produced in the pancreas and transported in the pancreatic juice to the duodenum (small intestine) where it is activated.

Production and Activation

Trypsinogen is produced by the acinar cells of the pancreas and released into the pancreatic duct. It is then transported in the pancreatic juice to the duodenum. Here, it is activated by the enzyme enterokinase (also known as enteropeptidase), which is produced by the cells lining the duodenum. Enterokinase cleaves a peptide from trypsinogen to form trypsin.

Function

Once activated, trypsin can break down proteins in the diet into smaller peptides, which can then be further digested by other enzymes into amino acids. These amino acids can then be absorbed by the body and used in a variety of physiological processes.

Clinical Significance

Abnormalities in the production or activation of trypsinogen can lead to a number of medical conditions. For example, mutations in the gene that codes for trypsinogen can cause hereditary pancreatitis, a condition characterized by recurrent inflammation of the pancreas. In addition, trypsinogen activation within the pancreas, rather than in the duodenum, can lead to pancreatitis, a potentially serious condition that can cause severe abdominal pain and other symptoms.

See Also

• Pancreas
• Digestive enzyme
• Pancreatitis
• Hereditary pancreatitis

References

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