proteolytic, a.
(prəʊtiːəʊˈlɪtɪk)
[f. as prec. + Gr. λυτικ-ός able to loose, dissolving.]
Having the quality of decomposing proteins. Hence proteoˈlytically adv., as regards or by means of proteolysis or proteolytic enzymes.
| 1877 Foster Phys. ii. iv. (1878) 319 An aqueous solution of the precipitate is both amylolytic and proteolytic, i.e. appears to contain some of both the salivary (pancreatic) ferment and pepsin. 1890 Billings Nat. Med. Dict., Proteolytic, having the power to decompose or digest proteids. 1896 Allbutt's Syst. Med. I. 724 The organism at the primary seat of lesion secretes a potent proteolytic enzyme. 1903 Ann. Bot. XVII. 613, I have further succeeded in preparing a proteolytically active glycerin-extract from the roots. 1970 Nature 12 Dec. 1097/1 Plasmin..proteolytically degrades fibrin and fibrinogen preferentially to other substrates. 1978 Ibid. 21 Sept. 182/2 One current speculation is that the two forms of fibronectin may be the same gene product, but the surface form is proteolytically processed to the slightly smaller plasma form. |