Chymotrypsin (Mr 25.000) is the major enzyme produced by the mammalian pancreas. Chymotrypsin preferentially catalyzes the hydrolysis of peptide bonds involving L-isomers of the aromatic side chains of tyrosine, phenylalanine and tryptophan. The substrate specificity pocket accommodates the side chains of the residues: Ser-189, Gly-216, Gly-226. It also readily acts upon amides and esters of susceptible amino acids. Chymotrypsin catalyzes the hydrolysis of bonds of leucyl, methionyl, asparaginyl and glutamyl residues.
