What does proelastase convert into through action of trypsin?

Proelastase is an inactive precursor, or zymogen, which requires enzymatic activation to become functional. Trypsin, an active enzyme that plays a crucial role in the digestive process, cleaves proelastase specifically to activate it into elastase. Elastase is a serine protease that assists in breaking down elastin and other proteins.

Understanding the enzyme activation process is important in physiology because it illustrates how zymogens are converted into their active forms, ultimately contributing to digestion and protein metabolism. This distinction highlights the role of trypsin as an activator in the enzymatic cascade that facilitates efficient digestion.