Protein Digestion

Enzymes that digest proteins are divided into two groups endopeptidases and exopeptidases according to site of their action in the protein molecule. Endopeptidases confine their attack to the interior of the protein molecule so that the large peptide chain is broken into smaller fragments.

This provides many sites for action of exopeptidases that attack only peptide bonds at the end of a peptide chain releasing amino acids, dipeptides and tripeptides. There are several types of endopeptidases and exopeptidases.