Scholars@Duke
Jonathan Allen Cohn

Jonathan Allen Cohn

Professor of Medicine
Medicine, Gastroenterology
jonathan.cohn@duke.edu
DUMC Box 3256, Durham, NC 27710
GSRB-1 Room 2038, 905 S LaSalle St, Durham, NC 27710

Overview

In many epithelial tissues, the protein mainly responsible for controlling transepithelial fluid movement is the the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR). CFTR was originally identified as the protein product of the gene causing cystic fibrosis (CF). CFTR functions as a chloride channel regulated by protein kinase A (PKA). This laboratory is studying the role and regulation of CFTR. One project focuses on how PKA acts on CFTR. In this project, recombinant peptide models are being used to model the cytoplasmic domains of CFTR responsible for activating the protein's chloride's chloride channel function. Site-directed mutagenesis is being used to produce modified peptides to study how different individual serine phosphoryation contribute to CFTR regulation. A second project concerns DF508, the most common mutation among patients with CF. This mutation affects CFTR function by preventing normal folding and intracellular trafficking of the newly synthesized mutant protein. This project is examining the mislocalization of DF508-CFTR in tissues and cell lines with the long term goal of developing strategies to prevent the mutant protein from mislocalizing. A third project concerns the role of CFTR in chronic pancreatitic diseases. Emerging data about the role of CFTR during normal pancreatic secretion suggests that dysfunction of this protein may lead to pancreatic diseases such as chronic pancreatitis and pancreatic cancer. Patients with these chronic pancreatic diseases are being tested for CFTR mutations and for evidence of defective CFTR function.

Current Appointments & Affiliations

Professor of Medicine · 2002 - Present Medicine, Gastroenterology, Medicine
Associate Professor of Cell Biology · 1996 - Present Cell Biology, Basic Science Departments
Professor in Pediatrics · 2008 - Present Pediatrics, Pulmonary and Sleep Medicine, Pediatrics

Recent Publications

Hereditary Diseases of the Pancreas

Journal Article · February 17, 2009 Full text Cite

Pancreatic exocrine dysfunction

Journal Article · December 1, 2006 Pancreatic exocrine dysfunction can present clinically either as an acute illness, a destructive process, or a condition such as pancreatic insufficiency or chronic abdominal pain. Acute pancreatitis is associated with injury to the pancreas through direct ... Full text Cite

Increased risk of idiopathic chronic pancreatitis in cystic fibrosis carriers.

Journal Article Hum Mutat · October 2005 Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a recessive disease caused by mutations of the CF transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) gene. The risk of idiopathic chronic pancreatitis (ICP) is increased in individuals who have CFTR genotypes containing a CF-causing mutatio ... Full text Link to item Cite
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Recent Grants

The Duke Multidisciplinary Training Program in Pediatric Lung Disease

Inst. Training Prgm or CMEFaculty Member · Awarded by National Institutes of Health · 2010 - 2016

The Cystic Fibrosis Gene and Chronic Pancreatitis

ResearchPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by National Institutes of Health · 2005 - 2012

Maturation of Normal & Sensitized Airway Contractility

ResearchConsultant · Awarded by National Institutes of Health · 2006 - 2011

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Education, Training & Certifications

Cornell University · 1978 M.D.