6.1: Serine Proteases
- Page ID
- 167568
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Three protein-digesting enzymes secreted by the pancreas are serine proteases: chymotrypsin, trypsin and elastase. These three share closely-similar structures (tertiary as well as primary). In fact, their active serine residue is at the same position (Ser-195) in all three. Despite their similarities, they have different substrate specificities; that is, they cleave different peptide bonds during protein digestion.