Zimogen
Zimogen is a term that refers to a precursor molecule that is inactive until it undergoes a chemical modification, typically cleavage, to become an active enzyme. This inactive form is known as a zymogen or proenzyme. This strategy is employed by biological systems to regulate enzyme activity, ensuring that enzymes are only active when and where they are needed, thus preventing damage to the cells or tissues that produce them.
The activation of zymogens is a critical process in many physiological pathways, including digestion, blood clotting,
The conversion of a zymogen to its active form usually involves the proteolytic removal of a peptide