Chymotrypsin: molecular and catalytic properties.

A review on the peptide hydrolase chymotrypsin gives some characteristics concerning the structure, specificity, mechanism of activation from its precursor and catalytic activity. Problems of the active sites, allosteric alterations, changes of conformation, different behaviour against types of substrates, and suggested kinetics are shown in some detail. Finally, the diagnostic role of this serine proteinase is mentioned.