exopeptidase

enzyme

Written by

The Information Architects of Encyclopaedia Britannica

Last updated

July 21, 2026

Quick Summary

An exopeptidase is a type of enzyme that breaks down proteins. Specifically, it targets and hydrolyzes peptide bonds formed by the terminal amino acids of peptide chains. This is in contrast to endopeptidases, which break peptide bonds within the protein molecule.12

Exopeptidases are a category of proteolytic enzymes, which are essential for breaking down proteins into smaller peptides and eventually into amino acids. These enzymes are found in a wide variety of organisms, including bacteria, plants, and animals, and play a crucial role in processes like digestion.3

Summary created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

3 Britannica Sources

Ask Britannica AI about this topic

Britannica doesn't have a full article on this topic, so we've curated a list of our relevant coverage.

proteolytic enzyme
…two major groups are the exopeptidases, which target the terminal ends of proteins, and the endopeptidases, which target sites within proteins. Endopeptidases employ various catalytic mechanisms; within this group are the aspartic endopeptidases, cysteine endopeptidases, glutamic endopeptidases, metalloendopeptidases, serine endopeptidases, and threonine endopeptidases. The term oligopeptidase is reserved for
Read More
…two major groups are the exopeptidases, which target the terminal ends of proteins, and the endopeptidases, which target sites within proteins. Endopeptidases employ various catalytic mechanisms; within this group are the aspartic endopeptidases, cysteine endopeptidases, glutamic endopeptidases, metalloendopeptidases, serine endopeptidases, and threonine endopeptidases. The term oligopeptidase is reserved for
Read More