- Pancreatic enzymes are secreted in inactive form
- The suffix –ogen or prefix pro- indicates an inactive enzyme (e.g. trypsinogen, procarboxypeptidase
- They will be activated by:
- Enterokinase enzyme: secreted by the brush border of the duodenal wall when chyme comes into contact
- Autocleavage: by previously activated trypsin which can subsequently activate trypsinogen, chymotrypsinogen and procarboxypeptidase
- Acinar cells also secrete the enzyme trypsin inhibitor:
- Prevents activation of trypsin inside acini and ducts
- Protective ability can become overwhelmed if duct becomes blocked leading to autodigestion and acute pancreatitis