autoproteolysisn.
/ˌɔːtə(ʊ)ˌprəʊtɪˈɒlᵻsɪs/, U.S. /ˌɔdoʊˌproʊdiˈɑləsəs/, /ˌɑdoʊˌproʊdiˈɑləsəs/ Biochemistry.
The splitting of a protein or peptide into smaller molecules which is catalysed by the enzymic activity of the protein or peptide itself. Cf. proteolysis n. 1.
ΚΠ
1903 Jrnl. Soc. Chem. Industry 22 157/2 This increased yield is due to auto-proteolysis during the process of drying.
1934 Jrnl. Infectious Dis. 54 66 In vitro, the autoproteolysis of the excised nerve tissue of the rabbit is reported to become intensified following the injection of a fatal dose of tetanus toxin.
1990 Protein Engin. 4 102/2 For proteases the equation is more complex, since every form of the protein is prone to autoproteolysis, leading to irreversibly inactivated enzyme.
2008 S. C. Stebel et al. in J. M. Walker & R. Ripley Molecular Biomethods Handbk. xxxvi. 650 These enzymes could not be produced in useful amounts owing to autoproteolysis.
This is a new entry (OED Third Edition, June 2011; most recently modified version published online December 2021).
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n.1903