Asst. Prof. Chayanon Peerapittayamongkol, MD, PhD

  • B.Sc., Mahidol University, Thailand
  • Ph.D. (Biochemistry), Mahidol University
  • M.D., Faculty of Medicine, Siriraj hospital, Mahidol University
  • Postdoc, Institut Pasteur, France.

Office : 1010 Srisavarindira Bldg. 10th Fl. Department of Biochemistry. Faculty of Medicine, Siriraj Hospital, Bangkoknoi, Bangkok 10700

Laboratory : 918 Srisavarindira Bldg. 9rd Fl.

Phone : (02) 419-9143

E-Mail : chayanon.pee@mahidol.ac.th

Research Profile

Research Highlight — Asst. Prof. Dr. Chayanon Peerapittayamongkol, M.D., Ph.D.
Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University
Translational Research from Genome to Organelle
The laboratory of Asst. Prof. Dr. Chayanon Peerapittayamongkol pursues a translational program at the interface of medical biochemistry, molecular genetics, and cellular pharmacology. Drawing on training in clinical genetics at Kobe University and a postdoctoral fellowship at INSERM–Institut Pasteur, the group has moved from population-scale genetic association mapping to functional epigenetics and organelle-specific cell biology — with two primary clinical targets in view.

Pillar 1 — Reactivating fetal hemoglobin (HbF) in β-thalassemia/HbE. In Southeast Asia’s most common severe inherited anemia, the laboratory uses primary erythroid progenitors from patients and healthy donors to dissect genetic modifiers of disease severity and to test new strategies for HbF induction. Recent work shows that lentiviral shRNA knockdown of HBS1L — a ribosome release factor partnering with PELO — stabilizes ATF4 transcripts through the integrated stress response and selectively up-regulates γ-globin and mature HbF without disturbing terminal erythroid differentiation.

Pillar 2 — Rescuing mitochondrial dynamics in Leber’s Hereditary Optic Neuropathy (LHON). Using primary fibroblasts from Thai patients homoplasmic for the MT-ND4 (m.11778G>A) mutation, the group has shown that clinically relevant, low-dose metformin activates AMPK signaling to reduce mitochondrial fragmentation, restore membrane potential and ATP, accelerate mitophagy, and induce PGC-1α–driven biogenesis — a coordinated rescue of the bioenergetic and dynamic defects that drive retinal ganglion cell loss.

Enabling platform. Both pillars are supported by an in-house high-content imaging workflow built on the Operetta CLS system and customized CellProfiler pipelines for quantitative read-outs of mitochondrial H₂O₂ (MitoPY1/MitoID Red), membrane potential (JC-1), network morphology, and mitophagic flux — methods now extended to terminal erythroid maturation defects in thalassemic reticulocytes.



1. Peerapittayamongkol, C., Bernini, LF., Wilairat, P. (1996) Presence of aCS-globin on membrane of red cells containing hemoglobin Constant Spring (CS).  J Sci Soc Thailand 1996;22:117-20.
2. Laosombat, V., Dissaneevate, S., Peerapittayamongkol, C., & Matsuo, M. (1999). Neonatal hyperbilirubinemia associated with Southeast Asian ovalocytosis.American journal of hematology, 60(2), 136–139. https://doi.org/10.1002/(sici)1096-8652(199902)60:2<136::aid-ajh9>3.0.co;2-e
3. Pongrapeeporn, K.- upsorn S. ., Peerapittayamongkol, C. ., Masaratana, P. ., Krittayaphong, R. ., & Jirapinyo, P. (2005). Identification of Known Mutation in LDL Receptor Gene Underlying Severe FH Phenotype in Thai Patient: A Case Report. Siriraj Medical Journal, 57(11), 501–503. retrieved from https://he02.tci-thaijo.org/index.php/sirirajmedj/article/view/245635
4. Chumpia, W., Peerapittayamongkol, C., Angchaisuksiri, P., Komanasin, N., Muta, K., Kuaha, K., Iida, H., Inoue, S., Wada, Y., Kurihara, M., Hamasaki, N., & Fucharoen, S. (2006). Single nucleotide polymorphisms and haplotypes of protein C and protein S genes in the Thai population.Blood coagulation & fibrinolysis : an international journal in haemostasis and thrombosis, 17(1), 13–18. https://doi.org/10.1097/01.mbc.0000198051.27387.a3
5. Peerapittayamongkol, C., Srisawat, C., Junnu, S., Kanyok, S., Soi-ampornkul, R., Poonsawas, I., & Neungton, N. (2008) Porphyrias diagnosed types by HPLC analysis: 10 years Siriraj experience. Siriraj Med J 2007;59:356-60.
6. Sakuntabhai, A., Ndiaye, R., Casadémont, I., Peerapittayamongkol, C., Rogier, C., Tortevoye, P., Tall, A., Paul, R., Turbpaiboon, C., Phimpraphi, W., Trape, J. F., Spiegel, A., Heath, S., Mercereau-Puijalon, O., Dieye, A., & Julier, C. (2008). Genetic determination and linkage mapping of Plasmodium falciparum malaria related traits in Senegal. PloS one, 3(4), e2000. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0002000
7. Phimpraphi, W., Paul, R., Witoonpanich, B., Turbpaiboon, C., Peerapittayamongkol, C., Louicharoen, C., Casademont, I., Tungpradabkul, S., Krudsood, S., Kaewkunwal, J., Sura, T., Looareesuwan, S., Singhasivanon, P., & Sakuntabhai, A. (2008). Heritability of P. falciparum and P. vivax malaria in a Karen population in Thailand.PloS one, 3(12), e3887. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0003887
8. Pandit, R. A., Svasti, S., Sripichai, O., Munkongdee, T., Triwitayakorn, K., Winichagoon, P., Fucharoen, S., & Peerapittayamongkol, C. (2008). Association of SNP in exon 1 of HBS1L with hemoglobin F level in beta0-thalassemia/hemoglobin E. International journal of hematology, 88(4), 357–361. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12185-008-0167-3
9. Louicharoen, C., Patin, E., Paul, R., Nuchprayoon, I., Witoonpanich, B., Peerapittayamongkol, C., Casademont, I., Sura, T., Laird, N. M., Singhasivanon, P., Quintana-Murci, L., & Sakuntabhai, A. (2009). Positively selected G6PD-Mahidol mutation reduces Plasmodium vivax density in Southeast Asians.Science (New York, N.Y.), 326(5959), 1546–1549. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.1178849
10. Panya, A., Sawasdee, N., Srisawat, C., Yenchitsomanus, P., & Peerapittayamongkol, C. (2010)Expression of zinc finger and homeobox 2 in erythroleukaemic cells and gamma-globin expression. ScienceAsia 2010;36:342-5.
11. Lawaly, Y. R., Sakuntabhai, A., Marrama, L., Konate, L., Phimpraphi, W., Sokhna, C., Tall, A., Sarr, F. D., Peerapittayamongkol, C., Louicharoen, C., Schneider, B. S., Levescot, A., Talman, A., Casademont, I., Menard, D., Trape, J. F., Rogier, C., Kaewkunwal, J., Sura, T., Nuchprayoon, I., … Paul, R. (2010). Heritability of the human infectious reservoir of malaria parasites. PloS one, 5(6), e11358. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0011358
12. Phasukkijwatana, N., Kunhapan, B., Stankovich, J., Chuenkongkaew, W. L., Thomson, R., Thornton, T., Bahlo, M., Mushiroda, T., Nakamura, Y., Mahasirimongkol, S., Tun, A. W., Srisawat, C., Limwongse, C., Peerapittayamongkol, C., Sura, T., Suthammarak, W., & Lertrit, P. (2010). Genome-wide linkage scan and association study of PARL to the expression of LHON families in Thailand. Human genetics, 128(1), 39–49. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00439-010-0821-8
13. Moongkarndi, P., Srisawat, C., Saetun, P., Jantaravinid, J., Peerapittayamongkol, C., Soi-ampornkul, R., Junnu, S., Sinchaikul, S., Chen, S. T., Charoensilp, P., Thongboonkerd, V., & Neungton, N. (2010). Protective effect of mangosteen extract against beta-amyloid-induced cytotoxicity, oxidative stress and altered proteome in SK-N-SH cells. Journal of proteome research, 9(5), 2076–2086. https://doi.org/10.1021/pr100049v
14. Nuinoon, M., Makarasara, W., Mushiroda, T., Setianingsih, I., Wahidiyat, P. A., Sripichai, O., Kumasaka, N., Takahashi, A., Svasti, S., Munkongdee, T., Mahasirimongkol, S., Peerapittayamongkol, C., Viprakasit, V., Kamatani, N., Winichagoon, P., Kubo, M., Nakamura, Y., & Fucharoen, S. (2010). A genome-wide association identified the common genetic variants influence disease severity in beta0-thalassemia/hemoglobin E.Human genetics, 127(3), 303–314. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00439-009-0770-2
15. Srisawat, C., Junnu, S., Peerapittayamongkol, C., Futrakul, A., Soi-ampornkul, R., Senanarong, V., Praditsuwan, R., Assantachai, P., & Neungton, N. (2013). The platelet amyloid precursor protein ratio as a diagnostic marker for Alzheimer's disease in Thai patients. Journal of clinical neuroscience : official journal of the Neurosurgical Society of Australasia, 20(5), 644–648. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jocn.2012.06.008
16. Tun, A. W., Chaiyarit, S., Kaewsutthi, S., Katanyoo, W., Chuenkongkaew, W., Kuwano, M., Tomonaga, T., Peerapittayamongkol, C., Thongboonkerd, V., & Lertrit, P.(2014). Profiling the mitochondrial proteome of Leber's Hereditary Optic Neuropathy (LHON) in Thailand: down-regulation of bioenergetics and mitochondrial protein quality control pathways in fibroblasts with the 11778G>A mutation. PloS one, 9(9), e106779. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0106779
17. Chalerm, J., Chowdhury, M. A., Peerapittayamongkol, C., Paiboonsukwong, K., Fucharoen, S., & Sripichai, O. (2017). Influence of single nucleotide polymorphisms in the BCL11A, HBS1L-MYB intergenic region, and HBB gene cluster on the fetal hemoglobin levels in Bangladeshi patients with β-thalassemia/hemoglobin E disease. Genomics and Genetics, 10(1&2), 21–26. https://doi.org/10.14456/gag.2017.4
18. Munkongdee, T., Tongsima, S., Ngamphiw, C., Wangkumhang, P., Peerapittayamongkol, C., Hashim, H. B., Fucharoen, S., & Svasti, S. (2021). Predictive SNPs for β0-thalassemia/HbE disease severity.Scientific reports, 11(1), 10352. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-021-89641-2
19. Panusatid, C., Thangsiriskul, N., & Peerapittayamongkol, C. (2022). Methods for mitochondrial health assessment by High Content Imaging System. MethodsX, 9, 101685. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mex.2022.101685
20. Chumchuen, S., Sripichai, O., Jearawiriyapaisarn, N., Fucharoen, S., & Peerapittayamongkol, C.(2023). Induction of fetal hemoglobin: Lentiviral shRNA knockdown of HBS1L in β0-thalassemia/HbE erythroid cells. PloS one, 18(3), e0281059. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0281059
21. Panusatid, C., Soiyangsuk, R., Tanadjindarat, M., & Peerapittayamongkol, C. (2025). Metformin promotes mitochondrial integrity through AMPK-signaling in Leber’s hereditary optic neuropathy.
FEBS Open Bio. https://doi.org/10.1002/2211-5463.70165

1.

Moongkarndi P, Srisawat C, Saetun P, Jantaravinid J, Peerapittayamongkol C, Soi-ampornkul R, Junnu S, Sinchaikul S, Chen ST, Charoensilp P, Thongboonkerd V, Neungton N. Protective effect of mangosteen extract against beta-amyloid-induced cytotoxicity, oxidative stress and altered proteome in SK-N-SH cells. มหกรรมสมุนไพรแห่งชาติครั้งที่ 8, 31 สิงหาคม – 4 กันยายน 2554, อิมแพค เมืองทองธานี นนทบุรี.

2.

Peerapittayamongkol C, Munkongdee T, Svasti S, Winichagoon P, Fucharoen S. Genetic risk prediction of severity among b0-thalassemia/Hb E patients. Joint Conference in Medical Sciences 2011: Chula-Rama-Siriraj (JCMS2011), June 15-17, 2011 at IMPACT Exhibition and Convention Center, Thailand: 24.

3.

Moongkarndi P, Srisawat C, Saetun P, Jantaravinid J, Peerapittayamongkol C, Soi-ampornkul R, et al. Protective effect of mangosteen extract against beta-amyloid-induced cytotoxicity, oxidative stress and altered proteome in SK-N-SH cells. Joint Conference in Medical Sciences 2011: Chula-Rama-Siriraj (JCMS2011), June 15-17, 2011 at IMPACT Exhibition and Convention Center, Thailand: 18.

4.

Peerapittayamongkol C, Munkongdee T,Svasti S, Winichagoon P, Fucharoen S. Dense SNP association study of chromosome 6q23 region linked to fetal hemoglobin production in beta0-thalassemia/HbE patients. Mahidol-Kyoto Universities International Symposium 2010, “The integration of Bioscience for Innovative Medicine” December 16-17, 2010 Faculty of Medicne Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Thailand.

5.

Panya A, Srisawat C, Sawasdee N, Yenchitsomanus PT, Peerapittayamongkol C. Human zinc finger and homeodomain 2 (ZHX2) and g-globin expression in erythroleukemic cell line. The 1st CMU Graduate Research Conference, November 27-28, 2009 at Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand.

6.

Neungton N, Moongkarndi P, Srisawat C, Jantaravinid J, Peerapittayamongkol C, Soiampornkul R, et al. Protective effect of mangosteen extract against beta-amyloid-induced apoptosis in SK-N-SH cells. Alzheimer’s&dementia J 2009;5:413-4.

7.

Tirawanchai N, Chanarat N, Somkasetrin A, Chanchairujira T, Srisawat C, Peerapittayamongkol C, et al. Study on the association of C677T and A1298C polymorphisms of the gene encoding methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) enzyme and plasma homocysteine level in That hemodialysis patients. 33rd FEBS Congree & 11th IUBMB Conference. June 28-July 3, 2008 at Athens, Greece.

8.

Peerapittayamongkol C. Haplotype effect of HBSIL gene in the region of chromosome 6q23 associated with hemoglobin concentreation and fetal hemoglobin levels in Thalassermia patients. Presented in the Joint 7th HUGO Pacific meeting and the 8 th Asia Pacific Human Genetics Conference. April 2-5, 2008 at Cebu, Philippines.

9.

Neungton N, Srisawat C, Junnu S, Peerapittayamongkol C, Fitrakul A, Soiampornkul R, et al. Platelet amyloid precursor protien ratio as a diagmostic marker for Alzheimer’s Disease in Thai patients. A preliminary report [Abstract]. Presented in The 10thInternational Conference on Alzheimer’s Disease and related Disorder July 15-20, 2006 at IFEMA exhibition center Madrid, Spain. Alzheimer’s&dementia J; supplement; 2006;2(2):398.