Main neurotransmitters and their metabolism. Hormones and their biological effects. Eicosanoids and other local mediators. Different classes of lipoproteins. Cholesterol as precursor of steroid hormones. Co- and post-translational modifications of proteins. Protein intracellular targeting. Protein degradation: proteasome and the role exerted by ubiquitin
NELSON David L , COX Michael, PRINCIPI DI BIOCHIMICA DI LEHNINGER, Zanichelli.
Harvey Lodish, Arnold Berk, Chris A. Kaiser, Monthy Krieger, Matthew P. Scott, Antony Bretscher, Hidde Ploegh, Paul Matsudaira, BIOLOGIA MOLECOLARE DELLA CELLULA, Zanichelli.
TETTAMANTI GUIDO, SILIPRANDI NORIS, BIOCHIMICA MEDICA, Strutturale, metabolica e funzionale, Editore: PICCIN-NUOVA LIBRARIA.
Learning Objectives
Acquired Knowledge: Fundamental mechanisms of cell communication; molecular basis of endocrine system functioning; protein trafficking and targeting within the cell; mechanism of regulation of protein turnover.
Acquired Competence Understanding of the mechanism of action of biomolecules implicated in cell communication. Mastering of the mechanisms responsible for the protein trafficking within the cell.
Acquired Skills (at the end of the course):Identification of the molecular events induced by various receptors activated by specific ligands and implicated in their biological response. Identification of protein intracellular localization based on their aminoacid sequence.
Prerequisites
Courses recommmended: None. However it is highly recommended the knowledge of basic principles of biochemistry
Teaching Methods
Total hours of the course (including the time spent in attending lectures, seminars, private study, examinations, etc...): 150
Hours reserved to private study and other indivual formative activities: 102
Contact hours for: Lectures (hours): 48
Type of Assessment
Oral examination
Course program
Brief notes on nervous tissue metabolism and main neurotransmitters. Endocrine system: its hierarchy and main endocrine glands. Metabolism of water-soluble and water-insoluble hormones. Hormone receptors. Membrane signal transduction. Main effectors: trimeric G proteins, adenylate cyclase, phospholipase C, cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase, nitric oxide, cyclic GMP, inositol trisphosphate, calmodulin and other calcium-binding proteins, protein kinase C, sphingolipids. Signal switch-off: phosphodiesterase and protein phosphatases. Co- and post-translational modifications of proteins: glycosylation, lipidation. Intracellular trafficking of proteins. Protein degradation: proteasome and role of ubiquitin.