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DPP-4 Enzyme

Meaning

Dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) is a ubiquitous enzyme, a serine protease, found on the surface of various cells and circulating in the plasma, playing a crucial role in glucose homeostasis by rapidly degrading incretin hormones. It is specifically responsible for inactivating Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 (GLP-1) and Glucose-Dependent Insulinotropic Polypeptide (GIP) shortly after their release. In clinical endocrinology, the activity of this enzyme directly determines the biological half-life and duration of action of these important gut-derived peptides.