Designed Biomolecules
Research Group

Structure-based design & synthesis of bioactive molecules Computational study of biomolecular structure & dynamics

Research Projects

Rational design and synthesis of M1 aminopeptidase inhibitors

We employ structural and biochemical information to design and synthesize selective inhibitors for three members of the oxytocinase subfamily of M1 aminopeptidases, ERAP1, ERAP2 and insulin regulated aminopeptidase (IRAP). These enzymes play important roles in both the adaptive and innate human immune responses and their activity can contribute to the pathogenesis of several major human diseases ranging from viral and parasitic infections to autoimmunity and cancer.

Designed molecules that modulate protein-protein interactions

We aim to elucidate key antigen processing mechanisms of the adaptive immune system at the molecular level using a biochemical investigations and X-ray crystallographic analysis of protein-protein complexes in combination with state-of-the-art computational methods to design peptidomimetic molecules that enhance or disrupt specific protein-protein interactions. Read more about our project "ARIA" by clicking on the picture.

Discovery of RNA-binding molecules as antibacterial agents

T-box riboswitches are among the first discovered transcription attenuators that control mainly transcription of genes related to amino acid transport, metabolism and aminoacylation. Given that T-box riboswitches are found in almost all prominent Gram-positive human pathogens, they represent a promising target for next generation antimicrobial agents. To reach this goal, we apply structure-based virtual screening of large molecular databases to discover novel compounds that stabilize the T-box interaction with its cognite tRNA.

Group Leader

Thanos Papakyriakou, PhD

Thanos (Athanasios) is a senior researcher at the Institute of Biosciences & Applications of NCSR "Demokritos" since September 2018. He studied chemistry and obtained his PhD at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (2004). He has worked at the University of Florence), at the University of California, San Diego (US) and at the University of Southampton (UK). His research is mainly focused on the design and synthesis of small-molecule inhibitors of enzymes, the structure-based discovery of inhibitors and the computational study of protein structure and dynamics.

Group Members

Selected Publications

Rational design, synthesis and pharmacological evaluation of a cohort of novel beta-adrenergic receptors ligands enables an assessment of structure-activity relationships

Tricomi, J., Landini, L., Nieddu, V., Cavallaro, U., Baker, J.G., Papakyriakou, A.* Richichi, B.*

European Journal of Medicinal Chemistry 2023, 246, 114961

5-ALA Is a Potent Lactate Dehydrogenase Inhibitor But Not a Substrate: Implications for Cell Glycolysis and New Avenues in 5-ALA-Mediated Anticancer Action

Grigalavicius, M., Ezzatpanah, S., Papakyriakou, A., Raabe, T.T.H., Yannakopoulou, K., Theodossiou, T.A.*

Cancers 2022, 14, 4003

Phosphinic Peptides as Tool Compounds for the Study of Pharmacologically Relevant Zn-Metalloproteases

Georgiadis, D.*, Skoulikas, N., Papakyriakou, A., Stratikos, E.

ACS Pharmacology & Translational Science 2022, 5, 12, 1228–1253

Structural Insights into the Role of β3 nAChR Subunit in the Activation of Nicotinic Receptors

Giastas, P., Papakyriakou, A., Tsafaras, G., Tzartos, S.J., Zouridakis, M.

Molecules 2022, 27(14):4642

Discovery of Selective Nanomolar Inhibitors for Insulin-Regulated Aminopeptidase Based on α-Hydroxy-β-amino Acid Derivatives of Bestatin

Vourloumis, D., Mavridis, I. Athanasoulis, A., Temponeras, I., Koumantou, D., Giastas, P., Mpakali, A., Magrioti, V., Leib, J., van Endert, P., Stratikos, E.*, Papakyriakou, A.*

Journal of Medicinal Chemistry 2022, 65(14):10098-10117