A decapeptide, Angiotensin I can be proteolytically cleaved to a nanopeptide, des-Asp1 Ang I. What does the "des" prefix designate? Does it simply mean that the nanopeptide is like Ang I except that it is missing the Aspartic Acid? What is the etymology of "des" used in this context?
Angiotensin I is:
Asp-Arg-Val-Tyr-Ile-His-Pro-Phe-His-Leu
As you suspected des-Asp1 Angiotensin I is angiotensin without the N-terminal Asp:
Arg-Val-Tyr-Ile-His-Pro-Phe-His-Leu
"Des", "De" and "Dis" are prefixs that come from the latin and mean separation or deprivation. So, and according to Ulf, "Des-asp1 angiotensin", means literally "angiotensin I without asp"
Thank you Barbara. This makes sense. Presumably, the word "desolate" must come from the same Latin prefix then.
Michael
You are absolutely right, "des" for separation and "solus" for "alone" and firstly meant "depopulated". Then later, this part participle has been used for the description of deep affliction. THis word is the opposite of "consolare" (consoling) with "con" or "cum" that means 'with".
Barbara
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