Preventing Damage
Pepsin, an enzyme responsible for protein digestion, can be harmful to itself if there are no other proteins present. To prevent self-destruction, pepsin starts off as pepsinogen and undergoes inhibition. This process involves feedback inhibition, where the end product of protein digestion slows down and inhibits the production of more pepsin.
Commercial Applications
Pepsin has gained significant popularity in various commercial sectors due to its exceptional protein-breaking properties. One such application is the production of cheese, where rennet, a combination of enzymes including pepsin, is used to curdle milk efficiently. Additionally, the leather industry utilizes pepsin to eliminate hair and other tissues from animal hides. In the past, pepsin was even utilized to create a laxative by a company during the 1800s. In modern times, scientists rely on pepsin to fragment antibodies, enabling thorough and detailed examination.