**Proteolytic enzyme are released in zymogen form”**


  *Proteolytic enzymes can digest cellular proteins; if secreted in active form, they may cause autodigestion, especially of pancreas and gastric mucosa.Hence, these enzymes are synthesized and secreted as zymogens (inactive precursors).
  *Zymogens lack proteolytic activity, preventing tissue damage . This mechanism protects enzyme-producing cells, pancreatic tissue, and gastric mucosa from self-digestion.
  *Zymogens are activated only at the site of action by limited proteolysis, e.g
     *Pepsinogen → Pepsin (by HCl in stomach) 
     *Trypsinogen → Trypsin (by enterokinase in intestine)