Oligopeptidase

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Oligopeptidase

Oligopeptidase (pronounced: oh-lig-oh-pep-ti-dase) is a type of enzyme that catalyzes the hydrolysis of peptide bonds in small peptides.

Etymology

The term "Oligopeptidase" is derived from the Greek words "oligos" meaning few, and "peptos" meaning cooked or digested, referring to the enzyme's function of breaking down small peptides.

Function

Oligopeptidases play a crucial role in the regulation of biochemical processes in the body. They are involved in the degradation of small peptides, which are often regulatory molecules themselves. By breaking down these peptides, oligopeptidases can influence a variety of physiological processes, including neurotransmission, immune response, and cell signaling.

Types

There are several types of oligopeptidases, including:

  • Prolyl oligopeptidase: This enzyme is involved in the processing of proline-containing peptides, which play a role in many physiological processes.
  • Thimet oligopeptidase: This enzyme is involved in the degradation of small peptides in the cytosol of cells.
  • Neurolysin: This enzyme is found in the mitochondria and is involved in the degradation of neuropeptides.

Related Terms

  • Enzyme: A protein that acts as a biological catalyst to speed up a chemical reaction.
  • Peptide: A compound consisting of two or more amino acids linked in a chain.
  • Peptide bond: The chemical bond formed between two molecules when the carboxyl group of one molecule reacts with the amino group of the other molecule.
  • Biochemical: Relating to the chemical processes and substances which occur within living organisms.
  • Neurotransmission: The process by which signaling molecules are released by a neuron to stimulate or inhibit an adjacent neuron.
  • Immune response: The body's defensive reaction to invasion by bacteria, viruses, or foreign substances.
  • Cell signaling: The complex system of communication that governs basic cellular activities and coordinates cell actions.

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