an enzyme that catalyzes the breakdown of proteins (i.e.

a protease) to
polypeptides in the vertebrate stomach. it is one of the main components, along
with hydrochloric acid, of gastric juice. it is secreted as an inactive precursor,
pepsinogen.

pepsin was the first animal enzyme to be discovered, by theodor schwann in 1836.
its name comes from the greek word pepsis, meaning digestion.