Proteolysis - Definition and Overview

Proteolysis is the directed degradation (digestion) of proteins by cellular enzymes called proteases or by intramolecular digestion.

Proteolysis is used by the cell for several purposes. They include

• Removal of N-terminal methionine residues after translation.
• Removal of the signal sequence of peptides after their transport through a membrane
• Separation of viral proteins that were translated from a monocistronic mRNA
• Digestion of proteins from foods as a source of amino acids
• Conversion of predecessor-proteins (proenzymes, zymogens, prehormones) into their final structures.

Examples of proteases are trypsin and chymotrypsin.