Efrosyni Paraskeva

Assoc. Professor of Cell Physiology

Τηλ. 2410 685559

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Education:

  • 1993, Diploma of Biology, Univ. of Thessaloniki, Greece
  • 1997, Doktorat der Naturwissenschaften, European Molecular Biololgy Laboratory (EMBL)/University of Heidelberg, Germany
  • 1997-2001, Post-doctoral research, Zentrum für Molekulare Biologie der Universität Heidelberg (ZMBH), Germany

 

Research interests & Achievements:

  • Airway physiology
  • Remodeling and contractile properties of Airway Smooth Muscle Cells
  • Induction and activity of Hypoxia Inducible Factor (HIF)-1.
  • Nucleocytoplasmic transport.
  • Translational regulation and control of iron homeostasis by specific mRNA-protein interactions
  • Publication of 32 original research papers in peer-reviewed journals, 1 review article and 2 letters to the editor (with total impact factor of 143, 909 citations and h-index: 15)

 

Selected publications:

  • Paraskeva Ε, Atzberger Α, Hentze MW (1998). Α translational repression assay procedure (TRAP) for RNA-protein interactions in vivo. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, USA 95, p. 951-956
  • Paraskeva Ε, Gray ΝΚ, Schlager B,Wehr Κ, Hentze MW (1999). Ribosomal pausing and scanning arrest as mechanisms of translational regulation from cap-distal iron-responsive elements. Μοlecular and Cellular Biology 19, p. 807-16
  • Paraskeva Ε, Izaurralde Ε, Bischoff FR, Huber J, Kutay U, Hartmann Ε, Luhrmann R, Gorlich D (1999). CRM1-mediated Recycling of Snurportin 1 to the Cytoplasm. Journal of Cell Biology 145, p. 255-264
  • Bohnsack MT, Reneger K, Schwappach B, Saffrich R, Paraskeva E, Hartmann E, Gorlich D (2002). Exp5 exports eEF1A via tRNA from nuclei and synergizes with other transport pathways to confine translation to the cytoplasm. The EMBO Journal 21, p. 6205-6215.
  • Chachami G, Simos G, Hatziefthimiou A, Bonanou S, Molyvdas P-A, and Paraskeva E (2004). Cobalt Induces Hypoxia-Inducible Factor-1 a Expression in Airway Smooth Muscle Cells by a Reactive Oxygen Species– and PI3K-Dependent Mechanism American Journal of Respiratory Cell and Molecular Biology 31, p. 544–551.
  • Papagianni M, Hatziefthimiou A, Chachami G, Gourgoulianis K, Molyvdas P-A and Paraskeva E (2007). Insulin causes a transient induction of proliferation via activation of the PI3-kinase pathway in Airway Smooth Muscle cells. Experimental and Clinical Endocrinology & Diabetes 115, p.118-123.
  • Chachami G, Hatziefthimiou A, Liakos P, Ioannou M, Koukoulis G, Bonanou S, Molyvdas P-A, Simos G, and Paraskeva E (2007). Exposure of differentiated airway smooth muscle cells to serum stimulates both induction of hypoxia-inducible factor-1α and airway responsiveness to ACh. American Journal of Physiology - Lung Cellular and Molecular Physiology 293, p. L913–L922.
  • Mylonis Ι, Chachami G, Paraskeva E and Simos G (2008). Atypical CRM1-dependent Nuclear Export Signal Mediates Regulation of Hypoxia-inducible Factor-1α by MAPK. Journal of Biological Chemistry 283, p. 27620-27627.
  • Chachami G, Paraskeva E, Mingot J, M., Braliou G, Görlich D and Simos G (2009). Transport of hypoxia-inducible factor HIF-1alpha into the nucleus involves importins 4 and 7. Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications 390(2), 235-40.
  • Papadakis A, Paraskeva E, Peidis P, Muaddi H, Li S, Raptis L, Pantopoulos K, Simos G and A Koromilas (2010) eIF2α kinase PKR modulates the hypoxic response by Stat3-dependent transcriptional suppression of HIF-1α. Cancer Research 70, 7820.
  • Tsapournioti S, Mylonis I, Hatziefhimiou A, Ioannou MG, Stamatiou S, Koukoulis GK, Simos G, Molyvdas P-A and Paraskeva E (2013). TNFα induces expression of HIF-1α mRNA and protein but inhibits hypoxic stimulation of HIF-1 transcriptional activity in Airway Smooth Muscle Cells. Journal of Cellular Physiology 228, p. 1745–1753.

 


Dr. Emmanouil Venieris

Assistant Teaching Staff

Τηλ. 2410 685589

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Education:

  • 1992, Degree in Biology, University of Athens
  • 1996, Doctorate in Microbiology/Genetics, Institute of Microbiology, Karl-Franzens Universitaet Graz, Austria
  • 1998-1999, Postdoctoral Fellow, Department of Electron Microscopy, St. Savas Hospital, Athens
  • 2000–2002, Postdoctoral Fellow, Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, University of Thessaly

 

Research Interests & Achievements:

  • The regulation of human hypoxia inducible transcription factor HIF-1.
  • Posttranscriptional modifications of tRNA.

 

Selected publications:

  • MgcRacGAP interacts with HIF-1 α and regulates its transcriptional activity. Lyberopoulou A., Venieris E., Mylonis I., Chachami G., Pappas I., Simos G., Bonanou S. and E. Georgatsou Cellular Physiology and Biochemistry 20 (2007), 995-1006
  • Reconstitution of human hypoxia inducible factor HIF-1 in yeast: A simple in vivo system to identify and characterize HIF-1α effectors Georgia Braliou, Venieris E., Alkmini Kalousi, George Simos Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications 346 (2006) 1289-1296

 


Dr. George Simos

Assistant Professor of Biochemistry

Laboratory Director

Τel. 2410 685723

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EDUCATION:

  • 1981, B.Sc. Biochemistry, Sussex University.
  • 1984, Diploma of Chemistry, University of Thessaloniki.
  • 1990, Doctorate Diploma (PhD) in Biochemistry, University of Thessaloniki.
  • 1990-1995, Post-doctoral fellow, Cell Biology Program, EMBL, Heidelberg.
  • 1996-2000, Habilitation, Biochemie-Zentrum Heidelberg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Heidelberg.

 

RESEARCH INTERESTS & ACHIEVEMENTS:

  • Molecular mechanisms of the cellular response to hypoxia with particular emphasis on the regulation and function of the Hypoxia-Inducible transcription Factor HIF-1
  • The involvement of HIF-1 in the regulation of metabolism and carcinogenesis in liver hepatocytes, development of novel anticancer agents
  • Iron homeostasis with emphasis on the regulation of the hepatic hormone hepcidin
  • Nucleo-cytoplasmic transport mechanisms with particular emphasis on the biogenesis, transport and aminoacylation of tRNA.
  • Publication of 65 original research papers in peer-reviewed journals, 8 review articles and 3 book chapters (with total impact factor of 442, 3860 citations and h-index: 34; Google Scholar: link)

 

SELECTED PUBLICATIONS:

  • Chachami G, Lyberopoulou A, Kalousi A, Paraskeva E, Pantopoulos K and G Simos (2013) Oxygen-dependent secretion of a bioactive hepcidin-GFP chimaera. Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications 435, 540-545
  • Mylonis I, Sembongi H, Befani C, Liakos P, Siniossoglou S and G Simos (2012) Triglyceride accumulation under hypoxia involves HIF-1-dependent regulation of lipin 1. Journal of Cell Science 125, 3485.
  • Papadakis A, Paraskeva E, Peidis P, Muaddi H, Li S, Raptis L, Pantopoulos K, Simos G and A Koromilas (2010) eIF2α kinase PKR modulates the hypoxic response by Stat3-dependent transcriptional suppression of HIF-1α. Cancer Research 70, 7820.
  • Karanasios E and G Simos (2010) Building arks for tRNA: Structure and function of the Arc1p family of non-catalytic tRNA-binding proteins. FEBS Letters 584, 3842.
  • Chachami G, Paraskeva E, Mingot J-M, Braliou GG, Görlich D and G Simos (2009) Transport of hypoxia-inducible factor HIF-1α into the nucleus involves importins 4 and 7. Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications 390, 235-240.
  • Mylonis I, Chachami G, Paraskeva E and G Simos (2008) Atypical CRM1-dependent nuclear export signal mediates regulation of hypoxia-inducible factor-1alpha by MAPK.Journal of Biological Chemistry283, 27620-27627.
  • Braliou GG, Verga Falzacappa MV, Chachami G, Casanovas G, Muckenthaler MU and G Simos (2008) 2-Oxoglutarate-dependent oxygenases control hepcidin gene expression. Journal of Hepatology 48, 801-810
  • Karanasios E., Boleti H., and G. Simos (2008) Incorporation of the Arc1p tRNA-binding domain to the catalytic core of MetRS can functionally replace the yeast Arc1p/MetRS complex. Journal of Molecular Biology 381, 763-771.
  • Karanasios E., Simader H., Panayotou G., Suck D. and G. Simos (2007) Molecular determinants of the yeast Arc1p/aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase complex assembly. Journal of Molecular Biology 374, 1077-1090.
  • Mylonis I., Chachami G., Samiotaki M., Panayotou G., Paraskeva E., Kalousi A., Georgatsou E., Bonanou S. and G. Simos (2006) Identification of MAPK phosphorylation sites and their role in the localization and activity of Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1α. Journal of Biological Chemistry 281, 33095-33106.
  • Galani K., Hurt E. and G. Simos (2005) The tRNA aminoacylation co-factor Arc1p is excluded from the nucleus by an Xpo1p-dependent mechanism. FEBS Letters 579, 969-975.
  • Galani K., Grosshans H., Deinert K., Hurt E.C. and G. Simos (2001) The intracellular location of two aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases depends on complex formation with Arc1p. EMBO J. 20, 6889-6898.
  • Grosshans H., Deinert K., Hurt E. and G. Simos (2001) Biogenesis of the signal recognition particle (SRP) involves import of SRP proteins into the nucleolus, assembly with the SRP-RNA and Xpo1p-mediated export. Journal of Cell Biolοgy 153, 745-761.
  • Grosshans H., Hurt E. and G. Simos (2000) An aminoacylation-dependent tRNA export pathway in yeast. Genes & Development 14, 830-840.
  • Hellmuth K., Lau D., Bischoff R., Künzler M., Hurt E.C., and G. Simos (1998) Yeast Los1p has properties of an exportin-like nucleocytoplasmic transport factor for tRNA. Molecular and Cellular Biology 18, 6374-6386.
  • Simos G., Sauer A., Fasiolo F., and E.C. Hurt (1998) A conserved domain within Arc1p delivers tRNA to aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases. Molecular Cell 1, 235-242.

 


Dr Georgia Chachami

Lecturer of Cellular Biochemistry

Τηλ. 2410 685582

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Education:

  • 2001, Degree in Biology, Department of Biology, University of Athens
  • 2006, PhD in Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, University of Thessaly

 

Research Interests & Achievements:

  • Investigation of cellular response to hypoxia and the human Hypoxia Inducible Factor 1 (HIF-1)
  • Investigation of sumoylation of proteins in the cellular response to hypoxia.
  • 2-year Post Doctoral fellowship from the Alexander von Humboldt foundation, Germany

 

Selected publications:

  • A role for the Cajal-body-associated SUMO isopeptidase USPL1 in snRNA transcription mediated by RNA polymerase II. Hutten S, Chachami G, Winter U, Melchior F, Lamond AI. J Cell Sci. 2014, 127: 1065-78
  • An association study between hypoxia inducible factor-1alpha (HIF-1α) polymorphisms and osteonecrosis. Chachami G, Kalousi A, Papatheodorou L, Lyberopoulou A, Nasikas V, Tanimoto K, Simos G, Malizos KN, Georgatsou E. PLoS One. 2013, 8:e79647.
  • Oxygen-dependent secretion of a bioactive hepcidin-GFP chimera. Chachami G, Lyberopoulou A, Kalousi A, Paraskeva E, Pantopoulos K, Simos G. Biochem Biophys Res Commun. 2013, 435:540-5.
  • Ubiquitin-specific protease-like 1 (USPL1) is a SUMO isopeptidase with essential, non-catalytic functions.Schulz S*, Chachami G*, Kozaczkiewicz L*, Winter U, Stankovic-Valentin N, Haas P, Hofmann K, Urlaub H, Ovaa H, Wittbrodt J, Meulmeester E, Melchior F.EMBO Rep. 2012, 13:930-8. * equally contributing first authors
  • Transport of hypoxia-inducible factor HIF-1alpha into the nucleus involves importins 4 and 7.Chachami G, Paraskeva E, Mingot JM, Braliou GG, Görlich D, Simos G.Biochem Biophys Res Commun. 2009, 390:235-40. Atypical CRM1-dependent nuclear export signal mediates regulation of hypoxia-inducible factor-1alpha by MAPK.Mylonis I, Chachami G, Paraskeva E, Simos G.J Biol Chem. 2008 283:27620-7.
  • Exposure of differentiated airway smooth muscle cells to serum stimulates both induction of hypoxia-inducible factor-1α and airway responsiveness to ACh.Chachami G, Hatziefthimiou A, Liakos P, Ioannou MG, Koukoulis GK, Bonanou S, Molyvdas PA, Simos G, Paraskeva E.Am J Physiol Lung Cell Mol Physiol. 2007, 293:L913-22.
  • Identification of MAPK phosphorylation sites and their role in the localization and activity of hypoxia-inducible factor-1alpha.Mylonis I, Chachami G, Samiotaki M, Panayotou G, Paraskeva E, Kalousi A, Georgatsou E, Bonanou S, Simos G.J Biol Chem. 2006 281:33095-106.
  • Bacterially produced human HIF-1alpha is competent for heterodimerization and specific DNA-binding.Chachami G, Paraskeva E, Georgatsou E, Bonanou S, Simos G.Biochem Biophys Res Commun. 2005, 331:464-70.
  • Cobalt induces hypoxia-inducible factor-1alpha expression in airway smooth muscle cells by a reactive oxygen species- and PI3K-dependent mechanism.Chachami G, Simos G, Hatziefthimiou A, Bonanou S, Molyvdas PA, Paraskeva E.Am J Respir Cell Mol Biol. 2004, 31:544-51.

 


Dr Ilias Mylonis

Assistant Professor of Biochemistry

Τel. 2410 685578

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EDUCATION :

  • 1997: Degree in Chemistry, University of Thessaloniki, Greece
  • 2002-2003: Research at the laboratory of Dr. Sassone-Corsi, IGBMC, Strasbourg, France
  • 2003: Ph.D. in Biochemistry, University of Thessaloniki, Greece
  • 2005-2010: Post-doctoral fellow, Lab. of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, University of Thessaly, Greece

 

RESEARCH INTERESTS & ACHIEVEMENTS:

  • Investigation of regulation of the human Hypoxia Inducible Factor 1 (HIF-1)
  • Investigation of regulation of lipid metabolism under hypoxia.
  • Publication of 18 original research papers in peer-reviewed journals and 2 review articles (with total impact factor of 75, 391 citations and h-index: 12).

 

SELECTED PUBLICATIONS:

  • Mylonis I, Sembongi H, Befani C, Liakos P, Siniossoglou S & Simos G (2012) Hypoxia causes triglyceride accumulation via HIF-1-mediated stimulation of lipin 1 expression. J Cell Sci 125, 3485-3493
  • Mylonis I, Lakka A, Tsakalof A & Simos G (2010) The dietary flavonoid kaempferol effectively inhibits HIF-1 activity and hepatoma cancer cell viability under hypoxic conditions. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 398, 74-78.
  • Kalousi A*, Mylonis I*, Politou AS, Chachami G, Paraskeva E & Simos G (2010) Casein kinase 1 regulates human hypoxia-inducible factor HIF-1. J Cell Sci 123, 2976-2986. *Equal contribution
  • Triantafyllou A*, Mylonis I*, Simos G, Bonanou S & Tsakalof A (2008) Flavonoids induce HIF-1alpha but impair its nuclear accumulation and activity. Free Radic Biol Med 44, 657-670. *Equal contribution
  • Mylonis I, Chachami G, Paraskeva E & Simos G (2008) Atypical CRM1-dependent nuclear export signal mediates regulation of hypoxia-inducible factor-1alpha by MAPK. J Biol Chem 283, 27620-27627.
  • Mylonis I, Chachami G, Samiotaki M, Panayotou G, Paraskeva E, Kalousi A, Georgatsou E, Bonanou S & Simos G (2006) Identification of MAPK phosphorylation sites and their role in the localization and activity of hypoxia-inducible factor-1alpha. J Biol Chem 281, 33095-33106.
  • Mylonis I, Drosou V, Brancorsini S, Nikolakaki E, Sassone-Corsi P & Giannakouros T (2004) Temporal association of protamine 1 with the inner nuclear membrane protein lamin B receptor during spermiogenesis. J Biol Chem 279, 11626-11631.
  • Mylonis I & Giannakouros T (2003) Protein kinase CK2 phosphorylates and activates the SR protein-specific kinase 1. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 301, 650-656.
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