Enzymes are functional proteins, found within each of your cells, which help the cell carry out its specialized function. Proteolytic enzymes all perform similar functions within your cells; they cleave already-existing proteins. This cleavage can activate or inactivate other proteins, or may even play a role in digestion and breakdown of existing proteins. Many types of enzymes exist in the body and in the foods you eat.
Trypsin
One type of proteolytic enzyme is trypsin, which aids in normal digestion. The University of Maryland Medical Center explains that trypsin is produced in the pancreas, then travels into the digestive tract where it can aid in protein breakdown and digestion. Trypsin helps to break down protein by cleaving each protein molecule at specific sites, corresponding to specific sequences of individual amino acids. Upon exposure to several proteolytic enzymes, including trypsin, an ingested protein is eventually broken down into individual amino acids, and reused to make new human proteins in your cells, allowing proper cellular functioning.
Pepsin
Another proteolytic enzyme involved in digestion is pepsin. Like trypsin, pepsin aids in digestion by cleaving proteins at specific amino acid sequences, breaking a large protein down into smaller fragments for easier digestion. Pepsin is synthesized by cells in the stomach in its inactive form, pepsinogen. Upon release into the stomach, pepsinogen reacts with stomach acid to form pepsin, and then begins to break down proteins, reports the University of Cincinnati. The use of digestive suppressing medications, such as antacids, can affect pepsin activity by neutralizing stomach acid, preventing the formation of activated pepsin in the stomach.
Papain
Papain is another type of proteolytic enzyme. Unlike, pepsin and trypsin, which are synthesized in the human body, papain is typically found in plants. You can ingest it in fruits including papaya and pineapple, papain also has a number of food processing applications. Perdue University explains that you can use papain as a meat tenderizer, since the enzyme can break down muscle fibers in tough meat, leaving it tender. It is also used to extract fish oil rich in vitamins A and D, to make into supplements.
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