Ateneo - UPO

ITALIAN
BIOCHEMISTRY I
Glucides. Lipids. Amino acids. Structure of proteins. Structure-function relationship of protein classes. Carrier proteins. Enzymes. Speed of reaction. Regulating mechanisms. Vitamins and cofactors. Reporting Mechanisms. Classes of receptors (Trimeric G protein coupled receptors, Voltage dependent and ligand dependent channels, cADPR and NAADP. PKC. Endocannabinoids, Tyrosine kinase receptors, insulin receptor, receptor-like tyrosine phosphatase, serine / threonine kinase receptors, cGMP signaling -dependent and NO, integrins). Bioenergetics. Cellular respiration. Metabolism.

BIOCHEMISTRY II
METABOLISM OF CARBOHYDRATES. METABOLISM OF LIPIDS. KREBS CYCLE AND OXIDATIVE PHOSPHORILATION. PROTEIN METABOLISM. METABOLISM OF NUCLEOTIDES. METABOLISM OF THE HEM AND MARTIAL. ROS and cytochromes P450. INSULIN AND GLUCAGON. HYPOTHALAMIC-HYPOPHYSARY AXIS and its peripheral targets. INTEGRATION OF METABOLISM.

Molecular Biology
Introduction
Molecular basis of epigenetics: structure and regulation of chromatin
Transcription regulation
RNA maturation and post-transcriptional control
Non-coding RNAs

Biochemistry I & II
• Devlin. Chemistry with EdiSES clinical aspects.
• Siliprandi and Tettamanti. PICCIN Medical Biochemistry.
• Stryer. Biochemistry. Zanichelli.
• Nelson Cox. Lenninger's principles of biochemistry. Zanichelli
• Campbell, Farrel. Edises Biochemistry.
• MARKS. Medical Biochemistry, a clinical approach. Ambrosiana Publishing House.

Molecular Biology
• Alberts et al. “Molecular Biology of the Cell” 5th ed. Zanichelli
• Lodish et al. “Molecular biology of the cell”, IV ed. Zanichelli
• Lewin “The X gene”, ed. Zanichelli
• B. Lewin et al .: The 2nd and compact Gene (Zanichelli, 2011)
• Amaldi et al. "Molecular Biology", second edition (Ambrosiana)
• Michael M Cox Molecular Biology (Zanichelli)

BIOCHEMISTRY I
At the end of the course the student must be able to describe, in molecular terms, the structure of biological matter, knowing how to recognize the role of the structure on the functionality of the macromolecules themselves.
He will also have to show mastery of the main signal transduction mechanisms, knowing how to focus their role in cell signaling processes.
BIOCHEMISTRY II
Know and explain at the molecular, subcellular, cellular and tissue level the biochemical mechanisms involved in the processes of: digestion, absorption, transport, storage, catabolism, interconversions, excretion, biosynthesis of: carbohydrates, amino acids and proteins, lipids, nucleotides, heme group, also in relation to different functional states of the organism.
Molecular Biology
Understanding the molecular mechanisms that regulate gene expression and their modulation in pathology

Passing exams in Chemistry and Biochemical Preparation.
Attendance of biology and anatomy exams.

TEACHING METHODS: LESSONS, LABORATORY EXERCISES
Biochemistry Lectures and on e-learning platform (DIR)
Biochemistry II lectures and on e-learning platform (DIR)
Molecular biology lectures and on e-learning platform (DIR)

Slides provided by the teacher
Lessons on the elearning platform
Reference websites

Learning control: collegial discussion of the topics of the program and of the numerical exercises proposed during the lessons. Course is supported in the web site DIR section with appropriate material to verify the degree of initial preparation and learning “in itinere”. There are traces of discussion and verification of the study of the topics covered in the course. There are also tests with open-ended and multiple-choice questions and numerical exercises for the evaluation of the study. The teacher answers only to e-mail signed and coming from the domain: matricola@studenti.uniupo.it.

The exam relating to the ENTIRE INTEGRATED COURSE can be taken at the end of the entire course.
The exam takes place in 1) written an 2) oral form, see relevant information in the individual modules. The learning assessment method will be the expression of a global judgment of the integrated course. Written exam of Biochemistry 1, as well as for the written part of Molecular Biology, the grade remains valid until September of the current academic year.
Students with a sufficient grade will then be able to take the oral part of Biochemistry 2.
Examination in oral part, see the Biochemistry 2 section of the course. Written exam for both BIOCHEMISTRY 1 and MOLECULAR BIOLOGY must always be re-taken in subsequent sessions, in the event that the oral exam is not passed. There are frequent self-assessment tests and an ongoing evaluation test.

STRUCTURAL BIOCHEMISTRY and cellular roles of:
Simple and complex carbohydrates
Lipids including glycerolipids, sphingolipids, cholesterol and its derivatives.
Amino acids and polypeptides (with chemical properties and study methods)
Proteins: structure, folding and study methods. Post translational modifications.
Structure-function relationship of different protein classes (immunoglobulins, contractile proteins, matrix proteins, cytoskeletal proteins, integrins).
Transport proteins with focus on O2-binding proteins, biochemical properties and regulation, hemoglobinopathies.
Enzymes: mechanism of action, classification, kinetic and thermodynamic aspects. Enzymatic kinetics and fundamental kinetic parameters.
Mechanisms of enzymatic activity regulation. Activation / inhibition mechanisms, allosteria and kinetic treatment
Mechanisms of catalysis with examples, fat-soluble and water-soluble vitamins and cofactors (structure, bioavailability, mechanism of action of derived or synthesized cofactors).

SIGNALING MECHANISMS.
Generalities and characteristics of signaling processes. Mathematical treatment and binding parameters.
Classes of receptors with mechanisms of action and effector systems: 1) G protein-coupled receptors (adenylate cyclase, phospholipase, IP3 and diacylglycerol, Ca-dependent signaling) 2) voltage gated and ligand gated channels, 3) tyrosine kinase receptors (Ras / MAPK, PI3K / PKB, Src, Cbl), 4) tyrosine kinase associated receptors (Jak-Stat), 5) tyrosine phosphatase with receptor-like structure, 6) serine / threonine kinase receptors 7) receptors with cyclase guanylate activity (signaling cGMP-dependent, NO), 8) integrin signaling.
Insights: endocannabinoids, biochemical mechanisms of sensory perception, insulin receptor.

BIOENERGETICS AND METABOLISM
Basal metabolism, energy requirement. Molecules with high energy content, ATP. Role of redox cofactors in catabolic and anabolic processes. Metabolic compartmentalization.
Metabolic pathways and cycles, catabolic and anabolic processes. Role of oxygen.
Biochemical aspects of digestion and the role of the pancreas

MOLECULAR BIOLOGY
Human and comparative genomics. Mapping of the human genome. Molecular basis of epigenetics: nucleosomes and chromatin.
Regulation of gene expression. Examples of epigenetic diseases. DNA methylation: biological significance, mechanisms, inactivation of the X chromosome, imprinting.
Transcription regulation: transcription and regulation in eukaryotes with focus on RNA polymerase II, promoter structure, Pol II basal factors and initiation complex assembly. Role of the Ombudsman.
Transcription factors and their modular and dimeric organization. Interactions with chromatin remodeling and histone modification complexes.
Mechanisms of transcription repression. Strategies for regulating the function of transcription activators. The structural classes of transcription factors: helix-loop-helix (homeogenic), helix-turn-helix (Myc / MAx / Mad), Leucine hinge (Jun. Fos, CREB, NFAT), zinc fingers (receptors for glycocorticoids , estrogen, retinoic acid).
RNA maturation and post-transcriptional control (capping, polyadenylation and termination of mRNA, splicing with mechanisms, mRNA editing, mRNA localization).
Non-coding RNAs: micro-RNAs and mechanisms of gene expression regulation, short-interfering RNAs.
FUNCTIONAL BIOCHEMISTRY
METABOLISM OF CARBOHYDRATES. Digestion and absorption. Glycogenolysis and glycogenosynthesis, hepatic glycogen and muscle glycogen. Hormonal and allosteric regulation of glycogen metabolism. Pathway of pentoses in relation to oxidative stress and to the synthesis of nucleic acids. Metabolism of ethyl alcohol. Gluconeogenesis: sites and mechanisms of regulation of gluconeogenesis.
METABOLISM OF LIPIDS. Digestion, absorption and transport. Endogenous lipid mobilization. Metabolic fate of cholesterol. Catabolism of fatty acids to acyl-CoA in mitochondria and peroxisomes. Ketone bodies: metabolic route of ketogenesis. Biosynthesis from scratch of fatty acids: role of citrate and citrate lyase. Fatty acid-synthetase: biosynthesis of triglycerides. Biosynthesis of cholesterol and regulatory mechanisms. Biosynthesis of phospholipids.
KREBS CYCLE AND OXIDATIVE PHOSPHORILATION. Cellular respiration and electron transport chain.
PROTEIN METABOLISM. Digestion of food proteins. Metabolic fate of amino acids, essential and non-essential amino acids. Gluconeogenic, ketogenic and ketogenic / glucogenic amino acids. Conversion of amino acids into specialized compounds. Use and elimination of the amino group as urea.
METABOLISM OF NUCLEOTIDES. Biosynthesis from scratch and the pathways of purine recovery and their regulation. Biosynthesis of pyrimidines and its regulation. Catabolism of purines to uric acid (hyperuricemia). Pyrimidine catabolism.
METABOLISM OF THE HEM AND MARTIAL. ROS and cytochromes P450
INSULIN AND GLUCAGON: biosynthesis, structure, signal transduction and function.
HYPOTALAMIC-HYPOPHYSARY AXIS and its peripheral targets (structure, regulation by hypothalamic factors, receptor / transduction and function): GH role of IGF-1 and -2, TRH and thyroid hormone, ACTH and medullary adrenal hormones, catecholamines. Cortical adrenal hormones: glucorticoids and mineralocorticoids. General information on gonadotropic hormones. Sex hormones: progesterone, estrogen, androgen. Hormones of the middle pituitary gland: propiocortin-MSH, lipoprotein, beta endorphin. Hormones of the posterior pituitary: vasopressin and oxytocin, neurophysins.
Hormones that regulate the metabolism of calcium and phosphate: parathyroid hormone and calcitriol.
Lipid hormones: prostaglandins, thromboxanes and lipoxins. PAF.
INTEGRATION OF METABOLISM: Integration of metabolic pathways in the main organs and tissues and control of the availability of nutrients. Metabolic effects of insulin, glucagon, adrenaline, and glucocorticoid hormones in different tissues.

In-depth knowledge of human biochemistry and molecular biology; ability to read, understand and comment on a scientific text of cellular biochemistry, also in English; ability to use this knowledge to critically evaluate the objectives and / or results of a research project according to both the quantitative and qualitative approach. Be able to pass the exam in written form with tests to be prepared during the course, and oral.