6.5 Zymogens

This video explains the nature of zymogens such as trypsinogen, chymotrypsinogen and other pancreatic proteases, pepsinogen, several blood clotting proteins and complements. The activation of chymotrypsinogen into active chymotrypsin is discussed showing the steps involved in this process. Zymogen formation for powerful proteolytic enzymes is necessary so that the active enzyme is active only at the appropriate location and time. Inappropriate activation of the zymogen trypsinogen and its association with pancreatitis is discussed.