Exoenzyme

Exo-enzymes are secreted enzymes. The precipitated enzymes are mostly metabolic reactions outside the cell, such as the breakdown of nutrients. Exo-enzymes are often in Gram-positive bacteria in the inner wall zone or in Gram-negative bacteria in the periplasm, eg Clostridium botulinum or Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Some exo-enzymes of pathogens are pathogenic factors.

Human exoenzymes are formed for example as digestive enzymes in the salivary glands, pancreas and in the lower small intestine. They include the α -amylase, pepsin, trypsin, chymotrypsin and elastase.