Pancreatic cancer typically does not cause symptoms until it has grown, so it is most frequently diagnosed in advanced stages rather than early in the course of the disease. In some cases, jaundice (a yellowish discoloration of the skin and whites of the eyes) without pain can be an early sign of pancreatic cancer. Other symptoms that can occur with more advanced disease are nausea, vomiting, weight loss, itching skin, and decreased appetite. Pale stools, back pain, abdominal pain, dark urine, abdominal bloating, diarrhea, and enlarged lymph nodes in the neck can be present as well. Medically Reviewed by a Doctor on 5/14/2014.
Pepsin is synthesized in an inactive form by the stomach lining; hydrochloric acid, also produced by the gastric mucosa, is necessary to convert the inactive enzyme and to maintain the optimum acidity ( pH 1-3) for pepsin function.
The mature, active enzymes are roughly 325 amino acids with a mass of approximately 35 kDa. Pepsins are synthesized as inactive pre-proenzymes, consisting of a signal peptide, activation peptide and active enzyme.The signal peptide is cleaved as the protein is inserted into endoplasmic reticulum and the resulting proenzyme-pepsinogen-is transported to the Golgi and condensed into secretory granules.Pepsinogens are secreted in a form such that the activation peptide assumes a compact structure that occludes the active site.he mature, active enzymes are roughly 325 amino acids with a mass of approximately 35 kDa. Pepsins are synthesized as inactive pre-proenzymes, consisting of a signal peptide, activation peptide and active enzyme.