This gene encodes a member of the serine protease family of enzymes and forms a principal precursor of the pancreatic proteolytic enzymes. The encoded preproprotein is synthesized in the acinar cells of the pancreas and secreted into the small intestine where it undergoes proteolytic activation to generate a functional enzyme. This gene is located adjacent to a related chymotrypsinogen gene. This gene encodes distinct isoforms, some or all of which may undergo similar processing to generate the mature protein. [provided by RefSeq, Jul 2016].