cathepsin

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cathepsin One of a group of intracellular proteinases (see PROTEASE) that occur in most animal tissues, but especially in the kidney, liver, and spleen. They are often active only in the presence of certain reducing substances, e.g. cysteine, hydrogen cyanide, ascorbic acid, and hydrogen sulphide. They occur in lysosomes and are responsible for autolysis after death.

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