Ateneo - UPO

structure and regulation of cellular function in animal cells

Molecole, Cellule e Organismi - Ginelli E., Malcovati M., ed. EDISES
Biologia Molecolare della Cellula Alberts et al., ed. Zanichelli

knowledge of the basic mechanisms involved in cellular functions

those expected by the admission test to the programmed course

lectures, exercitations and on line education

Further teaching and support material is available on the DIR platform.

Specific services and tools will be provided to students with physical disabilities, learning disabilities or special educational needs.

self-testing on DIR platform, written test with multiple choice or open questions followed by oral discussion

MOLECULAR BASES OF THE CELL
Monomers and polymers: lipids, sugars, proteins, nucleic acids.
PROTEINS
Amino acids, primary, secondary, tertiary and quaternary structures.
NUCLEIC ACIDS
Structure of nucleic acids. Composition, structure, topology. Chargaff rules. The flow of information. Relationships between nucleotide and polypeptide sequences. Genetic code.
DNA as genetic material: experiments by Griffith, McLeod, McCarthy, Hershey and Chase. DNA denaturation and its kinetics. RNA: importance of structural differences compared to DNA.
CHROMATIN
Chromatin structure in eukaryotes: constituents, organization, and functional units. Histones and non-histone proteins: conservation and chemical-physical characteristics. Histone H1. Notes on the human genome project. Complexity of the eukaryotic genome. Repeated sequences. Unique sequences. Discontinuous organization of coding sequences
DNA REPLICATION
Semiconservative replication: Meselson-Stahl experiment. Bidirectionality of replication: constituents and phases. Conditions that affect DNA synthesis. Kinetics of replication: leading and lagging strands. Helicases. Thermo-stable DNA polymerases. Topoisomerases: types and functions. Telomerases. Multiple origins of replication in eukaryotes. Synthesis and distribution of new histones. Mitosis and Meiosis.
MUTATIONS AND DNA REPAIR
Duplication fidelity: importance of synthesis directionality, proofreading. Chemical and physical mutagens. Mutations: point mutations as insertions and deletions. Post-replicative DNA repair mechanisms.
TRANSCRIPTION
Constituents and steps of transcription. Characteristics and specificity of RNA polymerases. Synthesis of structural RNAs and mRNAs. Maturation of primary transcripts: capping, polyadenylation, editing, splicing. Meaning of maturation mechanisms: snRPs and splicesome. Transcription inhibitors. Stability of transcripts. Alternative splicing and editing.
TRANSLATION
Constituents and steps of translation. Structure and function of ribosomes. Structure and function of tRNA. Meaning of suppressors. Aminoacyl tRNA synthetases. Protein synthesis inhibitors: antibiotics and toxins. Polyribosomes. Sorting of proteins to sub-cellular and extra-cellular compartments: glycosylation, palmitoylation, isoprenylation.

ELEMENTS OF CELLULAR BIOLOGY
CELLULAR MEMBRANES
Structure and characteristics of cell membranes: plasma-membranes and the most important sub-cellular compartments. Nucleus. Cellular organelles: mitochondria, RER, REL, Golgi, lysosomes. Involvement of these in protein sorting, post-translational modifications, and cellular metabolism. Transport mechanisms across cell membranes: plasma-membranes, nuclear and sub-cellular membranes. Exocytosis and endocytosis. Examples of lysosomal pathologies.
CYTOSKELETON
Composition and characteristics of the most important cytoskeletal structures: microfilaments, intermediate filaments, and microtubules. Examples of organization and function of cytoskeletal structures: myofilaments. Examples of organization and function of cytoskeletal structures: microtubules organization (MOC), axonal transport, cilia, flagella, mitotic spindle, neurofilaments. Nuclear matrix. Dissolution and reconstitution of the nuclear membrane. Involvement of cytoskeletal structures in the phenomena of migration and invasiveness.
CELL-CELL AND CELL-EXTRACELLULAR MATRIX INTERACTIONS
Ca++ dependent interactions: cadherins, homophily, catenins. Independent Ca++ interactions: CAM, notes on morphogenesis, Wallerian degeneration. Pemphigus Composition and structure of the extra-cellular matrix. Collagen: chemical-physical and functional characteristics of the different collagens. Common collagenopathies. Elastin, glycosoaminoglycans, fibronectins, laminins. Integrins.
CONTROL OF THE CELL CYCLE
Role of cyclins and cyclin-dependent kinases in the regulation of the cycle. Cellular necrosis and apoptosis.

To satisfy the minimum level of knowledge, the student has to:
- know the structure of the animal cell,
- distinguish cell constituents and their basic functions;
- know the basic mechanisms involved in gene expression regulation;
- know how to apply the scientific method;
- know how to identify and find data and informations necessary for learning;
- be able to express themselves, both in oral and written form;
- be able to read, understand and comment on technical material from books, manuals or other sources;
To achieve an advanced level, the student must:
- be able to integrate basic knowledge to explain complex cell phenomena;
- propose how to intervene on one or more cellular mechanisms in order to modify specific cellular functions.