Trypsin-3, also known as Trypsin III, brain trypsinogen, Serine protease 3 and PRSS3, is a secreted protein which belongs to the peptidase S1 family. Trypsin-3 / PRSS3 is expressed is in pancreas and brain. It contains one peptidase S1 domain. Trypsin-3 / PRSS3 can degrade intrapancreatic trypsin inhibitors that protect against CP. Genetic variants that cause higher mesotrypsin activity might increase the risk for chronic pancreatitis (CP). A sustained imbalance of pancreatic proteases and their inhibitors seems to be important for the development of CP. The trypsin inhibitor-degrading activity qualified PRSS3 as a candidate for a novel CP susceptibility gene. Trypsin-3 / PRSS3 has been implicated as a putative tumor suppressor gene due to its loss of expression, which is correlated with promoter hypermethylation, in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma and gastric adenocarcinoma.