Speaker: Ranajeet Ghose, Professor - Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The City College of New York

Title: Eukaryotic Elongation Factor 2 Kinase –  A Unique Regulator of Translation

Abstract: Eukaryotic elongation factor 2 kinase (eEF-2K) regulates protein synthesis by phosphorylating eukaryotic elongation factor 2 (eEF-2) thereby reducing its affinity for the ribosome and suppressing global translational elongation rates. eEF-2K engages with, and is regulated by calmodulin (CaM). The CaM-mediated modulation of eEF-2K activity occurs through a mechanism that is distinct from other CaM-regulated kinases. We have utilized a variety of biophysical tools, including solution NMR and high-resolution mass spectrometry, together with supporting biochemical and cell-based studies, in our quest to obtain structural and mechanistic insights into eEF-2K activity and the role of CaM, calcium and phosphorylation thereon. Key insights obtained from these studies will be presented here.