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Sotiria Tavoulari
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Dr Sotiria Tavoulari

Dr Sotiria Tavoulari is a Magdalene College Research Associate. 

My research addresses the molecular mechanisms of transport across biological membranes and the involvement of transport processes in human pathophysiology. I have worked with plasma membrane transport proteins for the neurotransmitters serotonin, dopamine and norepinephrine, elucidating mechanisms of substrate transport and transport inhibition by psychoactive drugs. I am currently focusing on transport proteins residing in mitochondria. I use a range of biochemical and biophysical approaches to study the function of proteins central to human metabolism, their connection to human diseases and their potential use as drug targets. As a College Research Associate, I have been working on Citrin Deficiency, a genetic disorder caused by defects in the mitochondrial aspartate/glutamate antiporter, citrin.

Research Interests

  • Structural /functional analysis and conformational dynamics of membrane transport proteins
  • Mechanisms of membrane transport in mitochondria
  • Protein-ligand interactions and mechanisms of drug action
  • Mitochondrial pharmacology and drug discovery
  • Molecular mechanisms linking dysfunction of transport processes to human diseases

Selected Publications

The yeast mitochondrial pyruvate carrier is a hetero-dimer in its functional state.
Tavoulari S*, Thangaratnarajah C, Mavridou V, Harbour ME, Martinou JC, Kunji ER.
EMBO Journal. 2019;15;38;10; pii: e100785
PUBMED: 30979775; DOI: 10.15252/embj.2018100785
* co-corresponding author

Structural elements required for coupling ion and substrate transport in the neurotransmitter transporter homolog LeuT.
Zhang YW, Tavoulari S, Sinning S, Aleksandrova AA, Forrest LR, Rudnick G.
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences USA. 2018; 18;115;38;E8854-E8862
PUBMED: 30181291; DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1716870115

Two Na+ Sites Control Conformational Change in a Neurotransmitter Transporter Homolog.
Tavoulari S, Margheritis E, Nagarajan A, DeWitt DC, Zhang YW, Rosado E, Ravera S, Rhoades E, Forrest LR, Rudnick G.
Journal of Biological Chemistry. 2016; 15;291;3;1456-71
PUBMED: 26582198; DOI: 10.1074/jbc.M115.692012

To be, or not to be two sites: that is the question about LeuT substrate binding.
Reyes N, Tavoulari S.
Journal of General Physiology. 2011;138;4;467-71
PUBMED: 21911482; DOI: 10.1085/jgp.201110652

Reconstructing a chloride-binding site in a bacterial neurotransmitter transporter homologue.
Tavoulari S, Rizwan AN, Forrest LR, Rudnick G.
Journal of Biological Chemistry. 2011;28;286;4;2834-42
PUBMED: 21115480; DOI: 10.1074/jbc.M110.186064

Fluoxetine (Prozac) binding to serotonin transporter is modulated by chloride and conformational changes.
Tavoulari S, Forrest LR, Rudnick G
Journal of Neuroscience. 2009;29;29;30;9635-43
PUBMED: 19641126; DOI: 10.1523/JNEUROSCI.0440-09.2009

Identification of a chloride ion binding site in Na+/Cl -dependent transporters.
Forrest LR, Tavoulari S, Zhang YW, Rudnick G, Honig B
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences USA, 2007;31;104;31;12761-6.
PUBMED: 17652169; DOI: 10.1073/pnas.0705600104