Evangelia Koutelou, PhD
Department of Epigenetics and Molecular Carcinogenesis, Division of Discovery Science
Present Title & Affiliation
Primary Appointment
Assistant Professor, Epigenetics and Molecular Carcinogenesis, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
Research Interests
I have a strong interest in understanding the molecular pathways that underlie developmental processes, with a special focus on the epigenetic regulation of intercellular communication. During my graduate training with Drs. Joan and Ron Conaway at the Stowers Institute, I defined the functions of Neurl1, a mouse ortholog of Drosophila Neur, as an E3 ubiquitin ligase that monoubiquitinates Jagged1, but not other mammalian Notch ligands. My findings provided new insights into the functions of Neurl1 at the plasma membrane in regulating the signaling activity of Jagged1.
As a postdoctoral fellow and now an Assistant Professor in Sharon Dent’s lab at the M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, I have focused on defining the functions of USP22, a component of the SAGA complex linked to human disease and cancer, combining mouse genetics with genome-wide profiling of chromatin states and gene expression. USP22 is a deubiquitinase that targets histone H2B (H2Bub1) as well as non-histone substrates. To define the functions of this enzyme in vivo, I have created both null mutations in USP22 and mutations in the catalytic site in mice. My studies have revealed an unexpected function for USP22 in the development of placenta vasculature. As the development of the placenta shares many of the same processes involved in cancer formation or progression, my findings will provide new insights as to how overexpression of USP22 contributes to aggressive, therapy-resistant cancers.
Education & Training
Degree-Granting Education
| 2006 | University of Crete - Stowers Institute for Medical Research, Iraklio - Kansas City, Missouri, US, Molecular Biology and Biomedicine, Ph.D |
| 2001 | University of Crete, Iraklio, GR, Molecular Biology and Biomedicine, M.S |
| 1999 | University of Crete, Iraklio, GR, Biology, BS |
Postgraduate Training
| 2013-2013 | Cold Spring Harbor Course, Mouse Development, Stem Cells and Cancer, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, New York |
| 2008-2013 | Research Fellowship, Epigenetics, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas |
| 2007-2008 | Research Fellowship, Stowers Institute for Medical Research, Kansas City, Missouri |
Experience & Service
Faculty Academic Appointments
Instructor, Epigenetics and Molecular Carcinogenesis, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Smithville, Texas, TX, 2013 - 2021
Extramural Institutional Committee Activities
Chair, Genetics and Epigenetics Communications Committee, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2023 - Present
Member, Genetics and Epigenetics Communications Committee, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2022 - 2023
Editorial Activities
Social Media Editor, Nucleic Acid Research, OUP, 2024 - Present
Review Editor, Frontiers in Oncology, 2023 - Present
Honors & Awards
| 2002 - 2005 | Extra-mural Predoctoral Fellowship, Propondis |
Professional Memberships
Grant & Contract Support
| Date: | 2026 - 2028 |
| Title: | Targeting ALCAM/CD6 Signaling to Overcome BCG Resistance in Non-muscle Invasive Bladder Cancer |
| Funding Source: | Department of Defense |
| Role: | Senior Scientist |
| ID: | CA250431 |
Selected Publications
Peer-Reviewed Articles
- Kuang X, Salinger A, Benavides F, Muller WJ, Dent SYR, Koutelou E. USP22 overexpression fails to augment tumor formation in MMTV-ERBB2 mice but loss of function impacts MMTV promoter activity. PLoS One 19(1):e0290837, 2024. e-Pub 2024. PMID: 38236941.
- Kuang X, McAndrew MJ, Mustachio LM, Chen YC, Atanassov BS, Lin K, Lu Y, Shen J, Salinger A, Macatee T, Dent SYR, Koutelou E. Usp22 Overexpression Leads to Aberrant Signal Transduction of Cancer-Related Pathways but Is Not Sufficient to Drive Tumor Formation in Mice. Cancers (Basel) 13(17), 2021. e-Pub 2021. PMID: 34503086.
- Farria AT, Plummer JB, Salinger AP, Shen J, Lin K, Lu Y, McBride KM, Koutelou E, Dent SYR. Transcriptional Activation of MYC-Induced Genes by GCN5 Promotes B-cell Lymphomagenesis. Cancer Res 80(24):5543-5553, 2020. e-Pub 2020. PMID: 33168647.
- Koutelou E, Wang L, Schibler AC, Chao HP, Kuang X, Lin K, Lu Y, Shen J, Jeter CR, Salinger A, Wilson M, Chen YC, Atanassov BS, Tang DG, Dent SYR. USP22 controls multiple signaling pathways that are essential for vasculature formation in the mouse placenta. Development 146(4), 2019. e-Pub 2019. PMID: 30718289.
- Wang L, Koutelou E, Hirsch C, McCarthy R, Schibler A, Lin K, Lu Y, Jeter C, Shen J, Barton MC, Dent SYR. GCN5 Regulates FGF Signaling and Activates Selective MYC Target Genes during Early Embryoid Body Differentiation. Stem Cell Reports 10(1):287-299, 2018. e-Pub 2018. PMID: 29249668.
- Atanassov BS, Mohan RD, Lan X, Kuang X, Lu Y, Lin K, McIvor E, Li W, Zhang Y, Florens L, Byrum SD, Mackintosh SG, Calhoun-Davis T, Koutelou E, Wang L, Tang DG, Tackett AJ, Washburn MP, Workman JL, Dent SY. ATXN7L3 and ENY2 coordinate activity of multiple H2B deubiquitinases important for cellular proliferation and tumor growth. Mol Cell 62(4):558-71, 2016. e-Pub 2016. PMID: 27132940.
- Schibler A, Koutelou E, Tomida J, Wilson-Pham M, Wang L, Lu Y, Cabrera AP, Chosed RJ, Li W, Li B, Shi X, Wood RD, Dent SY. Histone H3K4 methylation regulates deactivation of the Spindle Assembly Checkpoint through direct binding of Mad2. Genes Dev 30(10):1187-97, 2016. e-Pub 2016. PMID: 27198228.
Invited Articles
- Koutelou E, Dent SYR. Navigating EMT with COMPASS and PRC2. Nat Cell Biol 24(4):412-414, 2022. e-Pub 2022. PMID: 35411082.
- Chen YC, Koutelou E, Dent SYR. Now open: Evolving insights to the roles of lysine acetylation in chromatin organization and function. Mol Cell 82(4):716-727, 2022. e-Pub 2022. PMID: 35016034.
- Koutelou E, Farria AT, Dent SYR. Complex functions of Gcn5 and Pcaf in development and disease. Biochim Biophys Acta Gene Regul Mech 1864(2):194609, 2021. e-Pub 2021. PMID: 32730897.
Patient Reviews
CV information above last modified September 01, 2026