Pepsinogen is the inactive zymogen secreted by gastric chief cells. What is the primary mechanism for its conversion into the active enzyme pepsin?
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Correct answer: Spontaneous acid-catalyzed cleavage at pH below 5
In the presence of hydrochloric acid (pH < 5), pepsinogen undergoes a conformational change that allows it to cleave itself (autocatalysis) to form active pepsin. Once some pepsin is formed, it further accelerates the activation of more pepsinogen.
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