The 'master switch' for protein digestion in the small intestine is the activation of trypsinogen. Which enzyme, located on the duodenal mucosa, initiates this process?
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Correct answer: Enteropeptidase (enterokinase)
Enteropeptidase is a brush border enzyme that cleaves a hexapeptide from the N-terminus of trypsinogen to create active trypsin. Active trypsin then goes on to activate all other pancreatic proteases, including more trypsinogen.
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