HealthAugust 24, 2026

gelatinase

juh-LAT-ih-nays

Definition

A type of enzyme that breaks down or degrades gelatin, used in the article as part of a longer protein name (NGAL) to help identify early indicators of kidney damage.

Etymology

The word is derived from 'gelatin' (itself from the Latin 'gelare,' meaning 'to freeze' or 'to congeal') combined with the suffix '-ase,' which is used in chemistry to denote an enzyme.

In the news

The term is part of a complex protein name (neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin) that acts as an important biomarker for detecting kidney injury early. Its detection is a key focus of the new microneedle patch technology described in the article.

Microneedle Patch May Detect Kidney Disease Early

Read the full article ↗

Mirage News

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