words, words

[asimplechord]

For other science geeks out there:

Is "non-phosphorylatable" really a word? As in a serine to alanine mutation renders the amino acid unable to act as a kinase substrate.

Comments

[angela-snape.livejournal.com]

I don't know if it works as a word for me. Phosphorylation, yes. Phosphorylatable? Not so much. Though, I'm sure I've had students try to use it... =)

[asimplechord.livejournal.com]

I'm trying to rephrase. I don't know why he doesn't just say it's an alanine substitution. (That's what it is, already, and the audience will know what that implies.)

[angela-snape.livejournal.com]

I would even go as far as to suggest that "cannot be phosphorylated" would work better than "un-phosphorylatable".