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CLOSEStructural Biology & Chemistry
Dr. Spyros Zographos
Group leader
Dr. Spyros ZographosResearch Director
Group members
Panagiota G.V. LiggriBiochemist, MSc. in Biochemistry
Evgenia C.V. StamatiBiochemist, MSc. in Biochemistry
Eleanna ChristodoulouChemist, MSc. in Pharmaceutical Chemistry
George Stellasundergraduate student in Biochemistry
Administrative personnel
Irene DimitropoulouFood Technologist, MSc in Dietetics and Human Nutrition
The general theme that underlies the work of Dr. Zographos’ research team is the functional and structural characterization of proteins of pharmaceutical and biotechnological interest. His team employs recombinant DNA technology, protein expression systems, and advanced purification strategies to produce high-quality protein targets. These proteins are investigated using X-ray crystallography, bioNMR, and cryo-EM, in combination with in silico template-based modeling and AI approaches, as well as in vitro biochemical and biophysical binding assays and enzyme kinetics. Together, these complementary methodologies provide deep insight into structure–function relationships and regulatory mechanisms of protein targets. Such knowledge guides computational and synthetic chemists in the rational design, synthesis, and discovery of novel therapeutic agents and other products of biotechnological relevance.
Main Scientific Directions
Olfaction plays a key role in insects, regulating essential behaviors such as i) host-seeking through the detection of organic compounds released by human, animals and plants ii) detection of species specific chemical signals such as sexual and alarm pheromones.
Mosquitoes are the primary transmitters of multiple parasites and viruses that cause malaria, dengue fever, West Nile encephalitis, microcephaly in newborn infants due to Zika virus and many other serious and often fatal diseases. Furthermore, agricultural and farm livestock insect pests, represent primary factors leading to reduced production of major crops and increased losses of farm animals.
Since 2010, Dr. Zographos’ research has focused on insect olfaction, with the goal of applying structure-based approaches to discover new and effective agents aimed at reducing the spread of insect-transmitted infectious diseases and controlling insects of agricultural importance. The research program emphasizes the biochemical, molecular, functional, and structural characterization of mosquito and pest insect odorant-binding proteins (OBPs), chemosensory proteins (CSPs, SAPs), and the mosquito seven-transmembrane odorant receptor co-receptor (ORco). These proteins play crucial roles in host-seeking behavior by detecting organic compounds released by humans, animals, and plants. The group has developed and validated OBP- and ORco-guided, structure-aided discovery protocols, enabling the identification of novel bioactive molecules that induce repellency or anosmia, as well as a patented repellent formulation based on OBP-guided selection of essential oils (EP4321023Α1).
More recently, the laboratory has expanded its research toward OBP-based photonic biosensors, in collaboration with the NHRF/TCPI Institute, with applications spanning health, environmental monitoring, forensics, border security, and related fields (Funding: Exploratory Interdisciplinary Projects of Early-Career Researchers, 1st Internal Call, 2025–2026).
Over the past two decades, the group has investigated protein targets implicated in diverse biological processes and diseases, including type 2 diabetes mellitus (glycogen phosphorylase and glucokinase), cancer (human coilin-interacting nuclear ATPase; hCINAP, and BRAFV600E), inflammation (ligand-binding domain of the glucocorticoid receptor, GR-LBD), aging (human proteasome), and melanogenesis as well as enzymatic browning in foods and beverages (tyrosinase).
Among these efforts, structure-assisted inhibitor design studies have led to the discovery of more than 100 inhibitors of glycogen phosphorylase (GP), a key therapeutic target for type 2 diabetes mellitus, including novel synthetic inhibitor classes and natural products such as flavonoids and terpenes.
Dr. Zographos is currently collaborates with research groups based in Greek Research Centers and Universities with related or complimentary interests. The main Institutional, National and International collaborations are listed below.
Research Direction: Insect Olfaction
|
Name |
Organization |
Collaboration framework 2021-2026 |
| Dr. C. Riziotis (Photonic Sensors & Monitoring Systems) |
TPCI-NHRF | Research project iStink on OBP-based Photonic Biosensors |
| Dr. K. Tsitsanou (Protein Biochemistry in Insect Olfaction) |
ICB-NHRF | Research project iStink on OBP-based Photonic Biosensors |
| Dr. L. Swevers (Molecular and Functional Biology of Insect CSPs) | NCSR-Demokritos PhD | Research Project of Ms. Eleanna Christodoulou on OBPs and CSPs |
| Dr. A. Papakyriakou (Molecular modeling of OBPs and CSPs) | NCSR-Demokritos PhD | Research Project of Ms. Eleanna Christodoulou on OBPs and CSPs |
| Prof. S. Ranganathan (Molecular modeling of Insect Odorant Receptors) | Applied BioSciences, Macquarie University, University, Sydney, Australia | Research project 3D-ORco (Collaborator) |
| Asst. Prof. Τ. Thireou (Ligand-Based Virtual Screening of Odorant Receptor antagonists) |
Agricultural University of Athens | Research project 3D-ORco (Collaborator) |
| Prof. K. Iatrou (Molecular and Functional Biology Insect OBPs and Insect Odorant Receptors) |
NCSR-Demokritos | Research project 3D-ORco (Partner) |
| Prof. M. Caffrey (Crystallization of 7-transmembrane Odorant Receptors) | Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute (TBSI), University of Dublin, Ireland | Research project 3D-ORco (Partner) |
| Prof. J.T. Huiskonen (Cryo-EM studies of 7-transmebrane Odorant receptors) |
Helsinki Institute of Life Science (HiLIFE), University of Helsinki, Finland | Research project 3D-ORco (Partner) |
| Asst. Prof. P. Giastas (Biophysical studies) |
Biotechnology Department, Agricultural University of Athens | Research project 3D-ORco (Partner) |
| Dr. P. Zoumpoulakis (Molecular modeling & Analytical methods) |
ICB/NHRF | Research Project QFytoTera (Partner) |
| Dr. Α. Michaelakis (Insect Behavioral assays- Arm in Cage) |
Benaki Phytopathological Institute | Research Project QFytoTera (Partner) |
| Dr. D. Papachristos (Insect Chemical ecology) |
Benaki Phytopathological Institute | Research Project QFytoTera (Partner) |
| Dr. V. Papadimitriou (Encapsulation of Insect Repellents) | ICB/NHRF | Research Project QFytoTera (Partner) |
| Prof. G. Sotiropoulou (Toxicity studies of Repellents) | Department of Pharmacy University of Patras | Research Project QFytoTera (Partner) |
| Mr. F. Sakellaridis (Commercialization of QFytoTera Insect Repellents |
C.E.O., Qualia Pharma Ltd. | Research Project QFytoTera (Partner) |
| Prof. V. Roussis (Isolation of Plant and Marine secondary metabolites as Insect Repellents) |
Department of Pharmacy National & Kapodistrian University of Athens. | PhD Research Project of Ms. Eleanna Christodoulou on OBPs |
| Prof. G. Spyroulias, (Macromolecular NMR studies) | Department of Pharmacy University of Patras | Join Research Activity on OBPs in the frame of INSPIRED |
| Dr. Μ. Zervou (Macromolecular NMR studies) |
ICB/NHRF | PhD Research Project of Ms. Eleanna Christodoulou on OBPs |
| Dr. Jonathan D. Bohbot (Electroantenograph Detection studies) |
Dept. of Entomology, Faculty of Agriculture, Food and Environment, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem | PhD Research Project of Ms. Eleanna Christodoulou on OBPs |
| Dr. Alexandre de Almeida e Silva (Insect Behavioral assays-Human free blood feeding) |
Dept. of Biology, Federal University of Rondônia (UNIR), Brazil | PhD Research Project of Ms. Evgenia Stamati on OBPs |
| Prof. D. Fessas (Calorimetric studies of OBP-ligand complexes) |
Università degli Studi di Milano, Italy | PhD Research Project of Ms. Panagiota Liggri on OBPs |
| Prof. H. Pérez-Sánchez (Molecular modeling and MD simulations) | Structural Bioinformatics and High Performance Computing Research Group (BIO-HPC) Universidad Católica de Murcia, Spain | PhD Research Project of Ms. Panagiota Liggri on OBPs |
| Prof. Saulo Fernandes de Andrade (Synthesis of Insect Repellents and Molecular Modeling) |
Dept. Of Pharmacy, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Brazil | PhD Research Project of Ms. Evgenia Stamati on OBPs |
| Prof. E. Eliopoulos (Molecular modeling) |
Agricultural University of Athens | OBPs project |
| Prof. P.M. Guerin (Insect Behavioral assays-Human free Warm body ) |
Institute of Biology, University of Neuchâtel, Switzerland | OBPs project |
| Dr. T. Calogeropoulou (Synthetic Insect Repellents) |
ICB/NHRF | Undergraduate Diploma Research Project of Ms. Evanthia Hazapaki on OBPs |
| Prof. B. Offmann (Molecular modeling) |
Département des Sciences de la Vie, Université de Nantes, France | OBPs project |
| Prof. R. Sowdhamini (Molecular Dynamics Simulations) |
National Centre for Biological Sciences, Karnataka, India | OBPsproject |
| Prof. A. Azem (Analytical Ultracentrifugation studies) |
Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Tel Aviv University | OBPs project |
| Prof. J. Vontas (Molecular and Functional Biology) |
Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology (FORTH) | SAP-2 project: Structural study of Α. gambiae sensory appendage protein-2 (SAP-2) |
Research Direction: Pharmacological targets
|
Name |
Organization |
Collaboration framework 2018-2021 |
| Prof. D. Leonidas (Enzyme Kinetics and protein crystallography) |
Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, University of Thessaly | Glycogen Phosphorylase Project |
| Prof. L. Somsák (Synthetic inhibitors of Glycogen Phosphorylase) |
Department of Medical Chemistry, Faculty of Medicine, University of Debrecen, Hungary | Glycogen Phosphorylase Project |
| Prof. Ν. Santama (Cellular and Molecular Biology studies) |
Department of Biological Sciences, University of Cyprus | hCINAP project |
| Dr. N. Chondrogianni/ M. Koufaki/ T. Calogeropoulou (Synthesis of Proteasome Activators, Biological Activity Evaluation | ICB/NHRF | Proteasome Project: Structural study of Proteasome-Activators complexes |
| All ICB Researchers (Molecular modeling, Synthesis of B-Raf inhibitors, Biological Activity Evaluation) | ICB/NHRF | B-Raf Project: Structural study of B-Raf(V600E)-Inhibitor complexes in the frame of STHENOS-β |
Running funded projects
As coordinator and/or Scientific Responsible
- “3D-ORco: Advanced Research on the 3D structure of Mosquito Odorant Receptor coreceptor”. Hellenic Foundation for Research and Innovation (H.F.R.I.) under the “1st Call for H.F.R.I. Research Projects to support Faculty members and Researchers and the procurement of high-cost research equipment” (Project Number: HFRI-FM17-637) in collaboration with NCSR-Demokritos, Hellenic Pasteur Institute, University of Helsinki, Finland and University of Dublin, Ireland (28/2/2020-27/4/2024). Budget: 180.000 €.
- “QFytoTera: Nanoemulsions of plant oils with moisturizing and insect repellent properties” under the Operational Programme “Research, Entrepreneurship and Innovation” EPAnEK-NSRF 2014-2020 (MIS 5030853) for collaborative R&D projects between academic institutions and the private sector (in collaboration with Qualia Pharma Ltd., Benaki Phytopathological Institute and the University of Patras). (9/7/2018-8/7/2022). Budget: 630,005.37 €
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As partner
- “INSPIRED: The National Research Infrastructures on Integrated Structural Biology, Drug Screening Efforts and Drug target functional characterization” National Research Infrastructures NSRF (ΕΠΑνΕΚ) 2014-2020. Coordinator Dr. E. Chrysina, ICB/NHRF (3/9/2018-30/9/2022). Budget for SBC-1: 76,000€ (Upgrade of Protein Crystallization Infrastructure). Role: Partner/member of the steering committee
- “OMIC-ENGINE Synthetic Biology: from omics technologies to genomic engineering” National Research Infrastructures NSRF (ΕΠΑνΕΚ) 2014-2020. Coordinator Prof. K. Mathiopoulos, University of Thessaly (Scientist in charge for ICB/NHRF Dr. G. Skretas), (1/1/2018-30/6/2022). Role: Partner
Completed funded projects 2012-2019
As coordinator and/or Scientific Responsible for ICB
- “IKYMOS: Mosquito Odorant Binding Proteins as molecular targets for the discovery of new effective repellents/attractants. “State Scholarships Foundation (IKY) Doctorate Scholarship 2016-2019 to Ms. P. Liggri” NSRF (ΕΣΠΑ) 2014-2020 (8/12/2016-7/12/2019). Scholarship: 29.408,4 €. Role: Supervisor.
- “PREVENT: Molecular, functional and structural analysis of Mosquito OBPs for Prevention of Vector-Borne Infectious Diseases” General Secretariat for Research and Technology, Research grant ESPA R&D project of bilateral cooperation Greece-Turkey 2013-2014 in collaboration with Ass. Prof. M. Senay Sengul, Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Gaziosmanpasa University, Tokat, Turkey (20/12/2013-31/12/2015). Budget: 30,000 €.
Role : Coordinator/ Scientific Responsible. - ”ENAROMaTIC: European Network for Advanced Research on Olfaction for Malaria Transmitting Insect Control.” FP7-HEALTH-2007-2.3.2-9 (GA-222927), (1/12/2008-30/11/2012); Coordinator Dr. K. Iatrou, NCR Demokritos. Budget for SBC1: 280,000 €.
Role : Scientist in charge for ICB /WP5 leader. - ”EUROSTRUCT: European consolidation and promotion of research capacity in the area of structure based drug discovery”. FP7-REGPOT-2008-1, (GA-230146), (1/2/2009-31/1/2012). Budget: 970,300 €. Role: Coordinator.
As partner
- “STHENOS-β: Targeted therapeutic approaches against degenerative diseases, with emphasis on cancer and aging: Optimization of targeted bioactive compounds’’ Ministry of Education, Lifelong Learning, and Religious Affairs, “Development Proposals of Research Institutions – KRIPIS”, NSRF 2014-2020. O.P. “Competitiveness & Entrepreneurship” and Regions in Transition” (1/1/2017-30/06/2021); Coordinator Dr. A. Pintzas (IBMCB Director), IBMCB/ NHRF. Budget for SBC1: 46,800€. Role: Partner/WP1 leader.
- “INSTRUCT-Ultra: Releasing the full potential of Instruct (Integrating infrastructures for Structural Biology) to expand and consolidate infrastructure services for integrated structural life science research”. H2020-INFRADEV-2016-1 (GA-731005) (01/01/2017-31/12/2020). Coordinator D. Stuart, University of Oxford (Scientist in charge for IBMCB/NHRF Dr. E. Chrysina), Budget for SBC1: 750€ (travels). Role: Partner/Member of the general assembly.
- “IKYMOS-Pos: A combined methodology for the discovery of compounds with insect repellency properties” IKY Fellowships of Exellence for Postgraduate Studies in Greece-Siemens Program to Dr. E. Kritsi. (16/04/2017- 31/08/2017) Scientific Responsible: P.Zoumpoulakis. Budget: 13,500 €. Role: Partner.
- ‘STHENOS: Targeted therapeutic approaches against degenerative diseases, with emphasis on cancer and aging’’ Ministry of Education, Lifelong Learning, and Religious Affairs, “Development Proposals of Research Institutions – KRIPIS”, NSRF 2007-2013. O.P. “Competitiveness & Entrepreneurship” and Regions in Transition” (1/1/2013-31/12/2015); Coordinator Dr. A. Pintzas (IBMCB Director), IBMCB/ NHRF. Budget for SBC1: 120,000 €. Role: Partner.
- ”ARCADE: Advancement of Research Capability for the Development of New Functional Compounds” FP7-REGPOT-2009-1, (GA-245866), (01/12/2009-30/5/2013); Coordinator Dr. B. Steele, IBMCB/NHRF. Budget for SBC1: 205,000 €. Role: Partner.
Publications in refereed journals
- Fytrou A, Papachristos, DP, Milonas, PG, Giatropoulos, A, Zographos, SE, and Michaelakis, A. (2022) Behavioural response of Culex pipiens biotype molestus to oviposition pheromone. Journal of Insect Physiology [Epub 2022 Mar 18] | JIF2021: 2.354
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jinsphys.2022.104383 | Pubmed - Leonidas DD*, Zographos SE*, Tsitsanou KE, Skamnaki VT, Stravodimos G, Kyriakis E (2021) Glycogen phosphorylase revisited: extending the resolution of the R- and T-state structures of the free enzyme and in complex with allosteric activators. Acta Crystallogr F 77, 303-311 | JIF2021: 1.056
https://doi.org/10.1107/s2053230x21008542 | PubMed | PDBs: 3E3L, 3E3N, 3E3O, 7P7D - Kyriakis E, Karra AG, Papaioannou O, Solovou T, Skamnaki VT, Liggri PGV, Zographos SE, Szennyes E, Bokor E, Kun S, Psarra AG, Somsak L, Leonidas DD (2020) The architecture of hydrogen and sulfur sigma-hole interactions explain differences in the inhibitory potency of C-beta-d-glucopyranosyl thiazoles, imidazoles and an N-beta-d glucopyranosyl tetrazole for human liver glycogen phosphorylase and offer new insights to structure-based design. Bioorg Med Chem. 28, 115196 | JIF2020: 3.409
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bmc.2019.115196 | PubMed | PDBs: 6S4H, 6S4K, 6S4O, 6S4P, 6S4R, 6S51, 6S52 - Szabo, KE, Kyriakis, E, Psarra, AG, Karra, AG, Sipos, A, Docsa, T, Stravodimos, GA, Katsidou, E, Skamnaki, VT, Liggri, PGV, Zographos, SE, Mandi, A, Kiraly, SB, Kurtan, T, Leonidas, DD, and Somsak, L (2019) Glucopyranosylidene-spiro-imidazolinones, a New Ring System: Synthesis and Evaluation as Glycogen Phosphorylase Inhibitors by Enzyme Kinetics and X-ray Crystallography. J Med Chem. 62, 6116-6136 | JIF2019: 6.336
https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.jmedchem.9b00356 | PubMed | PDBs: 6QA6, 6QA7, 6QA8 - Fischer T, Koulas SM, Tsagkarakou AS, Kyriakis E, Stravodimos GA, Skamnaki VT, Liggri PGV, Zographos SE, Riedl R, Leonidas DD (2019) High Consistency of Structure-Based Design and X-Ray Crystallography: Design, Synthesis, Kinetic Evaluation and Crystallographic Binding Mode Determination of Biphenyl-N-acyl-β-d-Glucopyranosylamines as Glycogen Phosphorylase Inhibitors. Molecules 24, 1322+ | JIF2019: 3.309
https://doi.org/10.3390%2Fmolecules24071322 | PubMed | PDBs: 6R0H, 6R0I - Thireou T, Kythreoti G, Tsitsanou KE, Koussis K, Drakou CE, Kinnersley J, Krober T, Guerin PM, Zhou, J-J, Iatrou K, Eliopoulos E, Zographos SE* (2018). Identification of novel bioinspired synthetic mosquito repellents by combined ligand-based screening and OBP-structure-based molecular docking. Insect Biochem Mol Biol. 98, 48–61 | JIF2018: 3.737
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ibmb.2018.05.001 | PubMed - Bokor E, Kyriakis E, Solovou TG, Koppany C, Kantsadi AL, Szabo KE, Szakacs A, Stravodimos GA, Docsa T, Skamnaki VT, Zographos SE, Gergely P, Leonidas DD, Somsak L (2017) Nanomolar inhibitors of glycogen phosphorylase based on beta-D-glucosaminyl heterocycles: a combined synthetic, enzyme kinetic and protein crystallography study. J Med Chem. 60, 9251−9262| JIF2017: 6.590
http://dx.doi.org/10.1021/acs.jmedchem.7b01056 | PubMed | PDBs: 5O50, 5O52, 5O54, 5O56 - Drakou CE, Tsitsanou KE, Potamitis C, Fessas D, Zervou M, Zographos SE* (2017) The crystal structure of the AgamOBP1*Icaridin complex reveals alternative binding modes and stereo-selective repellent recognition. Cell Mol Life Sci. 74, 319–338 | JIF2017: 6.998
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00018-016-2335-6 | PubMed | PDBs: 5EL2 - Peppa VI, Venkat H, Kantsadi AL, Inamdar SR, Bhat GG, Eligar S, Shivanand A, Chachadi VB, Satisha GJ, Swamy BM, Skamnaki VT, Zographos SE, Leonidas DD (2015) Molecular Cloning, Carbohydrate Specificity and the Crystal Structure of Two Sclerotium rolfsii Lectin Variants. Molecules 20, 10848-65 | JIF2015: 2.465
http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/molecules200610848 | PubMed | PDBs: 4YLD, 4Z2F, 4Z2Q, 4Z2S - Parmenopoulou V, Kantsadi AL, Tsirkone VG, Chatzileontiadou DS, Manta S, Zographos SE, Molfeta C, Archontis G, Agius L, Hayes JM, Leonidas DD, Komiotis D. (2014) “Structure based inhibitor design targeting glycogen phosphorylase b. Virtual screening, synthesis, biochemical and biological assessment of novel N-acyl-β-d-glucopyranosylamines” Bioorg Med Chem. 22, 4810-25 | JIF2014: 2.793
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.bmc.2014.06.058 | PubMed | PDBs: 4MHO, 4MHS, 4MIC, 4MI3, 4MI6 & 4MI9 - Czifrák K, Páhi A, Deák S, Kiss-Szikszai A, Kövér KE, Docsa T, Gergely P, Alexacou KM, Papakonstantinou M, Leonidas DD, Zographos SE, Chrysina ED, Somsák L. (2014) “Glucopyranosylidene-spiro-iminothiazolidinone, a new bicyclic ring system: synthesis, derivatization, and evaluation for inhibition of glycogen phosphorylase by enzyme kinetic and crystallographic methods” Bioorg Med Chem. 22, 4028-41 | JIF2014: 2.793
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.bmc.2014.05.076 | PubMed | PDBs: 4CTM, 4CTN & 4CTO - Tsitsanou KE, Drakou CE, Thireou T, Gruber AV, Kythreoti G, Azem A, Fessas D, Eliopoulos E, Iatrou K, Zographos SE* (2013) “The crystal and solution studies of the “Plus-C” odorant binding protein 48 from Anopheles gambiae: Control of binding specificity through 3D domain-swapping” J Biol Chem 288,33427-38 | JIF2013: 4.600
http://dx.doi.org/10.1074/jbc.M113.505289 | PubMed | PDBs: 4IJ7 & 4KYN - Skamnaki VT, Peumans WJ, Kantsadi AL, Cubeta MA, Plas K, Pakala S, Zographos SE, Smagghe G, Nierman WC, Van Damme EJ, Leonidas DD. (2013) “Structural analysis of the Rhizoctonia solani agglutinin reveals a domain swapping dimeric assembly” FEBS J. 280, 1750-1763 | JIF2013: 3.986
http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/febs.12190 | PubMed | PDBs: 4G9M & 4G9N - Tsitsanou KE, Hayes JM, Keramioti M, Mamais M, Oikonomakos NG, Kato A, Leonidas DD, Zographos SE* (2013) “Sourcing the affinity of flavonoids for the glycogen phosphorylase inhibitor site via crystallography, kinetics and QM/MM-PBSA binding studies: Comparison of chrysin and flavopiridol.” Food Chem Toxicol 61, 14-27 | JIF2013: 2.610
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.fct.2012.12.030 | PubMed | PDBs: 3EBO & 3EBP - Parmenopoulou V, Chatzileontiadou DS, Manta S, Bougiatioti S, Maragozidis P, Gkaragkouni DN, Kaffesaki E, Kantsadi AL, Skamnaki VT, Zographos SE, Zounpoulakis P, Balatsos NA, Komiotis D, Leonidas DD (2012) “Triazole pyrimidine nucleosides as inhibitors of Ribonuclease A. Synthesis, biochemical, and structural evaluation.” Bioorg Med Chem. 20, 7184-7193 | JIF2012: 2.903
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.bmc.2012.09.067 | PubMed | PDBs: 4G90 , 4G8V & 4G8Y - A.L. Kantsadi, S. Manta, A.-M.G. Psarra, A. Dimopoulou, C. Kiritsis, V. Parmenopoulou, V.T. Skamnaki, P. Zoumpoulakis, S.E. Zographos, D.D. Leonidas, and D. Komiotis (2012) “The binding of C5-alkynyl and alkylfurano[2,3-d]pyrimidine glucopyranonucleosides to glycogen phosphorylase b. Synthesis, biochemical and biological assessment”. European Journal of Medicinal Chemistry 54, 740-749 | JIF2012: 3.499
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ejmech.2012.06.029 | PubMed | PDBs: 4EJ2, 4EKE, 4EL5, 4EKY & 4EL0 - Nagy V, Felföldi N, Kónya B, Praly JP, Docsa T, Gergely P, Chrysina ED, Tiraidis C, Kosmopoulou MN, Alexacou KM, Konstantakaki M, Leonidas DD, Zographos SE, Oikonomakos NG, Kozmon S, Tvaroška I, Somsák L (2012) “N-(4-Substituted-benzoyl)-N’-(β-d-glucopyranosyl)ureas as inhibitors of glycogen phosphorylase: Synthesis and evaluation by kinetic, crystallographic, and molecular modelling methods” Bioorg Med Chem. 20, 1801-1816 | JIF2012: 2.903
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.bmc.2011.12.059 | PubMed | PDBs: 2QNB, 2QLM, 2QLN, 2QN3, 2QN7, 2QN8 & 2QN9 - Manta S, Xipnitou A, Kiritsis C, Kantsadi AL, Hayes JM, Skamnaki VT, Lamprakis C, Kontou M, Zoumpoulakis P, Zographos SE, Leonidas DD, Komiotis D. (2012) “3′-axial CH2 OH substitution on glucopyranose does not increase glycogen phosphorylase inhibitory potency. QM/MM-PBSA calculations suggest why.” Chem Biol Drug Des. 79, 663-673 | JIF2012: 2.469
http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1747-0285.2012.01349.x | PubMed | PDBs: 3SYM & 3SYR - Kantsadi AL, Hayes JM, Manta S, Skamnaki VT, Kiritsis C, Psarra AM, Koutsogiannis Z, Dimopoulou A, Theofanous S, Nikoleousakos N, Zoumpoulakis P, Kontou M, Papadopoulos G, Zographos SE, Komiotis D, Leonidas DD. (2012) “The σ-hole phenomenon of halogen atoms forms the structural basis of the strong inhibitory potency of C5 halogen substituted glucopyranosyl nucleosides towards glycogen phosphorylase b” ChemMedChem. 7, 722-732 | JIF2012: 2.835
http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/cmdc.201100533 | PubMed | PDBs: 3T3D, 3T3E, 3T3G, 3T3H & 3T3I - Christina E. Drakou, Anna Malekkou, Joseph M. Hayes, Carsten W. Lederer, Demetres D. Leonidas, Nikos G. Oikonomakos, Angus I. Lamond, Niovi Santama, and Zographos SE* (2012) “hCINAP is an atypical mammalian nuclear adenylate kinase with an ATPase motif: Structural and functional studies” Proteins 80, 206-220 | JIF2012: 3.337
http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/prot.23186 | PubMed | PDBs: 3IIJ, 3IIK, 3IIL & 3IIM - Tsitsanou KE, Thireou T, Drakou CE, Koussis K, Keramioti MV, Leonidas DD, Eliopoulos E, Iatrou K, Zographos SE* (2012) “Anopheles gambiae odorant binding protein crystal complex with the synthetic repellent DEET: implications for structure-based design of novel mosquito repellents” Cellular Molecular Life Sci. 69, 283-297 | JIF2012: 5.615
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00018-011-0745-z | PubMed | PDB: 3N7H
Book Chapter
- Zographos, SE*, Eliopoulos, E, Thireou T and Tsitsanou, KE (2018). OBP-structure-aided repellent discovery: An emerging tool towards the prevention of mosquito-borne diseases in CRC book series QSAR in Environmental and Health Sciences “Computational design of chemicals for the control of mosquitoes and their diseases“, Edited by James Devillers, Chapter 3, pp. 65-105. ISBN: 978-1498-7418-04 | Publisher
Short communications
- Iatrou, K., Kythreoti, G., Thireou, T., Karoussiotis, C., Georgoussi, Z., Zographos, S.E., Liggri, P.G.V., Michaelakis, A., Schulz, S. (2022) Novel Anosmia-Inducing Compounds for Environmentally Friendly Mosquito Vector Control: Structural Determinants of ORco Ligands Antagonizing Odorant Receptor Function. Experimental Biology Annual Meeting (EB 2022), 2-5 April 2022, Philadelphia, PA, USA. FASEB J. 36, Suppl. 1 | JIF2021: 5.191
DOI: 10.1096/fasebj.2022.36.S1.R4433 - Liggri, P.G.V., Tsitsanou, K.E., Spyros E. Zographos, S.E.*(2019). Structural and biochemical studies of an Odorant Binding Protein from the malaria vector Anopheles gambiae. The 44th FEBS congress, 6-11 July 2019, Krakow, Poland. FEBS Open Bio, 9: P-27-070 | JIF2019: 2.141
DOI: 10.1002/2211-5463.12675
Group leader
Dr. Spyros ZographosResearch Director
Group members
Panagiota G.V. LiggriBiochemist, MSc. in Biochemistry
Evgenia C.V. StamatiBiochemist, MSc. in Biochemistry
Eleanna ChristodoulouChemist, MSc. in Pharmaceutical Chemistry
George Stellasundergraduate student in Biochemistry
Administrative personnel
Irene DimitropoulouFood Technologist, MSc in Dietetics and Human Nutrition