An enzyme that catalyzes the hydrolysis of the terminal amino acid of a peptide chain; e.g., carboxypeptidase. Cf.:endopeptidase.
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exo·pep·ti·dase -'pep-tə-.dās, -.dāz n any of a group of enzymes that hydrolyze peptide bonds formed by the terminal amino acids of peptide chains: PEPTIDASE compare ENDOPEPTIDASE
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n.
an enzyme (e.g. trypsin) that takes part in the digestion of proteins by splitting off the terminal amino acids of a polypeptide chain. Compare endopeptidase. See also peptidase.
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exo·pep·ti·dase (ek″so-pepґtĭ-dās) [EC 3.4.11–19] any peptidase that catalyzes the cleavage of the terminal or penultimate peptide bond, releasing a single amino acid or dipeptide from the peptide chain. Exopeptidases are classified as aminopeptidases, carboxypeptidases, dipeptidases, and omega peptidases.Medical dictionary. 2011.