Chymosin

  • CAS Number: 9001-98-3

Chymosin ( rennin also, from Greek χυμός chymos, liquid ' ) is an aspartic endopeptidase ( protease). Bovine chymosin is found as rennet in the fourth stomach ( abomasum ) of calves. It is produced by the cells of the gastric mucosa in the form of the precursor protein secreted as prochymosin and preprochymosin into the lumen. In the acidic environment of the stomach the converted inactive zymogen to the active enzyme chymosin prochymosin.

Structure

The bovine chymosin protein consists of 323 amino acids with a molecular mass of 35 653 Da.

It comes in two forms that differ in their primary structure at amino acid position 244 ( aspartic acid or glycine). The A-form has, however, a slightly higher specific activity of κ -casein is marginally less stable than the B-form.

Use

Chymosin is used for the cleavage of milk protein in the production of cheese, to which there will also be produced by genetic engineering.

Swell

  • Peptidase
Protein isoform CAS registry number MEROPS
189486
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