BIOCHEMISTRY

Dr. Eckhard Jankowsky

Associate Professor

• Biochemistry Trainer: YES
  
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• Phone: 216-368-3336
  
• Fax: 216-368-3149
  
• Office: W447
  
• Lab: W449
  
• Jankowsky Lab Web Page
  
• Mail Address:
  
Department of Biochemistry
10900 Euclid Avenue
Cleveland, OH 44106-4935

Pub Med:

Dr. Eckhard Jankowsky

RNA helicases

Research in our laboratory focuses on roles and functions of RNA helicases. These highly conserved proteins are found from bacteria to humans and in many viruses and constitute the largest group of enzymes in eukaryotic RNA metabolism. Virtually all aspects of RNA metabolism involves RNA helicases, and they have been implied in ATP-driven remodeling steps in RNA and RNA-protein complexes. How RNA helicases facilitate such reactions is a key question in RNA metabolism with implications ranging from understanding the regulation of gene expression to delineating the cellular response to viral infections. Our current research concentrates on elucidating molecular mechanisms of RNA helicases and the function of these enzymes in their physiological environment. To address these questions, we utilize techniques ranging from quantitative biochemical and biophysical methods (including single molecule fluorescence) over molecular biological to cell biological approaches. 

Selected References

• Jankowsky E & Fairman ME: “RNA helicases – one fold for many functions.” (Review)
  Current Opin. Struct. Biol. 17, 316-324 (2007)

• Yang Q, Del Campo M, Lambowitz AM & Jankowsky E: “DEAD-box proteins unwind duplexes by local strand separation” Molecular Cell  28, 253-264 (2007)

• Yang Q & Jankowsky E: “The DEAD-box protein DED1 unwinds RNA duplexes by a mode distinct from translocating helicases.” Nature Structural & Molecular Biology 13, 4181-4188 (2006)

• Fairman ME, Maroney P, Wang W, Bowers H, Gollnick P, Nilsen, TW & Jankowsky E:
  “Protein displacement by DExH/D “RNA helicases” without duplex unwinding.” Science 304, 730-734 (2004)