noun
- Plural of collagenase; enzymes that break down collagen, a protein found in connective tissue.
Usage: technical; biology/biochemistry
Examples
- Collagenases are produced by bacteria and are used in medical research to study tissue structure.
- The enzyme collagenases help break down the collagen matrix in wound healing.
- Scientists use collagenases to isolate cells from tissue samples in laboratory experiments.
- Certain bacteria secrete collagenases as a virulence factor to invade host tissues.
- Collagenases have potential therapeutic applications in treating fibrotic diseases.