cathepsin
noun
ca·thep·sin
kə-ˈthep-sən 
: any of several intracellular proteases of animal tissue that aid in autolysis
Examples of cathepsin in a Sentence
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The injectable hydrogel responds to cathepsin overexpression in an inflammatory environment.
—
William A. Haseltine, Forbes, 28 Feb. 2024
Fortunately, Gerwick had encountered cathepsin inhibitors before.
—Stephanie Stone, Smithsonian Magazine, 2 Sep. 2021
Another signaling molecule, cathepsin B, triggers beneficial changes in the brain, including the production of new brain cells.
—Bob Holmes, Discover Magazine, 26 Dec. 2019
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William A. Haseltine, Forbes, 28 Feb. 2024
Fortunately, Gerwick had encountered cathepsin inhibitors before.
—Stephanie Stone, Smithsonian Magazine, 2 Sep. 2021
Another signaling molecule, cathepsin B, triggers beneficial changes in the brain, including the production of new brain cells.
—Bob Holmes, Discover Magazine, 26 Dec. 2019
Cite this Entry
“Cathepsin.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cathepsin. Accessed 4 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
cathepsin
noun
ca·thep·sin
kə-ˈthep-sən
: any of a class of proteases present in most animal tissues (as in kidney, liver, and spleen) that catalyze the hydrolysis of proteins to polypeptides
Cathepsins are lysosomal proteases that cleave their substrates with relatively low specificity.—Arthur M. Krieg et al., Science
Arthur M. Krieg et al., ScienceRecent investigations by several research groups, working with organisms as diverse as worms and monkeys, implicate cathepsins flooding the cytoplasm as a major cause of necrotic cell death.—Nektarios Tavernarakis, New Scientist
Nektarios Tavernarakis, New ScientistLove words? Need even more definitions?
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