Pepsin

Overview

Pepsin is a digestive enzyme produced in the stomach that helps break down proteins into smaller peptides. It is one of the main enzymes in the digestive system and plays a crucial role in the early stages of protein digestion. Pepsin is secreted by the stomach lining as an inactive precursor called pepsinogen, which is produced by the chief cells in the stomach lining. The acidic environment of the stomach activates it with the help of hydrochloric acid to become pepsin. Individuals with hypochlorhydria (low stomach acid) may have impaired protein digestion. Pepsin breaks the bonds between specific amino acids in proteins, converting them into smaller peptides that can be further digested in the small intestine.

Digestive System

 Pepsin splits dietary Proteins into shorter Polypeptide chains (known as Peptones) that are subsequently further broken down by other Peptidases.