Research areas
The research focus in my lab is on complex integral membrane proteins and in particular ion channels and transporters. We engage a multidisciplinary aproach using a combination of advanced biophysical and biochemical methods spanning from x-ray crystallography and pulsed-EPR to analytical mass and single molecule methodologies to investigate the gating mechanism of these important and challenging systems.
X-ray hanging drop and lipidic cubic phase crystallography is used to obtain structural information to molecular detail and solve membrane protein structures in distinct conformational states. Our aim is to elucidate ion channel gating mechanisms and understand through the use of model systems the fundamental biophysical property of mechanosensation.
X-ray structures represent snapshots frozen in time and dynamic information is required to monitor conformational rearrangements during gating. Pulsed-electron-electron double resonance (PELDOR) spectroscopy, also known as DEER, is used in combination with site-directed spin labeling (SDSL) to obtain structural information (i.e. spin-to-spin distances within the complex).
Mass spectrometry is used to identify potential substrates and characterise their interaction with the macromolecule of interest, while the effect on protein function is monitored using single molecule methodologies, in order to create a valid link between structure and function.
PhD supervision
- Tiange Li
Selected publications
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In-lipid structure of pressure sensitive domains hints mechanosensitive channel functional diversity
Kapsalis, C., Ma, Y., Bode, B. E. & Pliotas, C., 21 Jul 2020, In : Biophysical Journal. 119, 2, p. 448-459Research output: Contribution to journal ? Article
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The tetraspanin Tspan15 is an essential subunit of an ADAM10 scissor complex
Koo, C. Z., Harrison, N., Noy, P. J., Szyroka, J., Matthews, A. L., Hsia, H-E., Müller, S. A., Tüshaus, J., Goulding, J., Willis, K., Apicella, C., Cragoe, B., Davis, E., Keles, M., Malinova, A., McFarlane, T. A., Morrison, P. R., Nguyen, H. T. H., Sykes, M. C., Ahmed, H., Di Maio, A., Seipold, L., Saftig, P., Cull, E., Pliotas, C., Rubinstein, E., Poulter, N. S., Briddon, S. J., Holliday, N. D., Lichtenthaler, S. F. & Tomlinson, M. G., 28 Feb 2020, In : Journal of Biological Chemistry.Research output: Contribution to journal ? Article
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Allosteric activation of an ion channel triggered by modification of mechanosensitive nano-pockets
Kapsalis, C., Wang, B., El Mkami, H., Pitt, S. J., Schnell, J., Smith, T. K., Lippiat, J., Bode, B. E. & Pliotas, C., 10 Oct 2019, In : Nature Communications. 10, 14 p., 4619.Research output: Contribution to journal ? Article
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Optimization of recombinant membrane protein production in the engineered Escherichia coli strains SuptoxD and SuptoxR
Michou, M., Kapsalis, C., Pliotas, C. & Skretas, G., 6 Jun 2019, In : ACS Synthetic Biology. Articles ASAPResearch output: Contribution to journal ? Article
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Adenosine monophosphate binding stabilizes the KTN domain of the Shewanella denitrificans Kef potassium efflux system
Pliotas, C., Grayer, S. C., Ekkerman, S., Chan, A. K. N., Healy, J., Marius, P., Bartlett, W., Khan, A., Cortopassi, W. A., Chandler, S. A., Rasmussen, T., Benesch, J. L. P., Paton, R. S., Claridge, T. D. W., Miller, S., Booth, I. R., Naismith, J. H. & Conway, S. J., 15 Aug 2017, In : Biochemistry. 56, 32, p. 4219-4234Research output: Contribution to journal ? Article
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Enhanced imaging of lipid rich nanoparticles embedded in methylcellulose films for transmission electron microscopy using mixtures of heavy metals
Asadi, J., Ferguson, S., Raja, H., Hacker, C., Marius, P., Ward, R., Pliotas, C., Naismith, J. H. & Lucocq, J., Aug 2017, In : Micron. 99, p. 40-48 9 p.Research output: Contribution to journal ? Article
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Ion Channel Conformation and Oligomerization Assessment by Site-Directed Spin Labeling and Pulsed-EPR
Pliotas, C., 10 Aug 2017, A Structure-Function Toolbox for Membrane Transporter and Channels. Ziegler, C. (ed.). Elsevier, Vol. 594. p. 203-242 (Methods in Enzymology).Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding ? Chapter
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Sparse labeling PELDOR spectroscopy on multimeric mechanosensitive membrane channels
Ackermann, K., Pliotas, C., Valera, S., Naismith, J. & Bode, B. E., 7 Nov 2017, In : Biophysical Journal. 113, 9, p. 1968?1978Research output: Contribution to journal ? Article
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Spectator no more, the role of the membrane in regulating ion channel function
Pliotas, C. & Naismith, J. H., Aug 2017, In : Current Opinion in Structural Biology. 45, p. 59-66 8 p.Research output: Contribution to journal ? Review article
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Accurate extraction of nanometer distances in multimers by pulse EPR
Valera, S., Ackermann, K., Pliotas, C., Huang, H., Naismith, J. H. & Bode, B. E., 16 Mar 2016, In : Chemistry - A European Journal. 22, 14, p. 4700?4703Research output: Contribution to journal ? Article