Ateneo - UPO

- The genomic basis of complexity: the role of gene expression control, hints of comparative genomics.
- Molecular basis of epigenetics: structure and regulation of chromatin
- Transcription regulation
- RNA maturation and post-transcriptional control
- Non-coding RNAs
- Cell cycle regulation
- Oncogenes and tumor suppressors

Alberts et al. “Biologia Molecolare dell Cellula” V ed. Zanichelli
Lodish et al. “Biologia molecolare della cellula”, IV ed. Zanichelli
Lewin “Il gene X”, ed. Zanichelli
B. Lewin et al.: Il Gene 2°ed compatta (Zanichelli, 2011)
Amaldi et al. “Biologia Molecolare”, seconda edizione (Ambrosiana)
Michael M Cox Biologia Molecolare (Zanichelli)

Provide basic knowledge of molecular biology, mainly in eukaryotic organisms, with particular reference to the bio-medical sector, their research perspectives and understanding of the main cellular processes.

General knowledge of cell biology.

Handouts, teaching materials, PowerPoint presentations of the lessons and articles provided by the teacher

Written test with multiple choice questions.
The grade is calculated as a fraction of correct answers and expressed out of thirty.
The questions are designed to verify the achievement of the training objectives.

-Introduction to molecular biology. The genomic basis of complexity: the role of gene expression control, hints of comparative genomics.
- Mapping of the human genome and description of the main results.
- Molecular basis of epigenetics: structure and regulation of chromatin
-structure of nucleosomes and organization of chromatin
- Histones and their modifications (acetylation, methylation, phosphorylation).
- Mechanisms of histone remodeling and chromatin modifications and their role in the regulation of gene expression. Bromodomain and chromodomain. Role and examples of histone modifying enzymes: histone acetyl transferase (HAT), histone deacetylase. Histone remodeling complexes.
- Examples of epigenetic therapy and epigenetic diseases.
- DNA methylation: biological significance, role of DNA methyl-transferase, mechanisms by which DNA methylation regulates gene expression. Inactivation of the X chromosome, genetic imprinting.

Transcription regulation
- Transcription and regulation in eukaryotes: RNA polymerase II, promoter structure, Pol II basal factors and initiation complex assembly. Role of the Ombudsman.
- Recognition mechanisms of transcription initiation sites: TATA box and formation of transcription initiation complexes.
- Role of transcription regulatory sequences and factors that regulate transcription (transcription factors and their modular and dimeric organization).
- Role of interactions between transcription factors and chromatin remodeling and histone modification complexes in transcription regulation. Examples.
- Mechanisms of transcription repression.
- Different strategies for regulating the function of transcription activators. Examples (NF-kB)
- 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 glucocorticoids, estrogens, retinoic acid). For each class: structural elements and mechanisms of interaction with DNA, regulation of function, hints on function and regulated genes.
RNA maturation and post-transcriptional control
- Meaning of capping and polyadenylation of transcripts. Notes on capping, polyadenylation and mRNA termination mechanisms.
-General information on the discontinuous nature of genes and the significance of splicing.
-The spliceosome and the molecular mechanisms of splicing. Alternative splicing
- Regulation of splice site recognition: ESE / ISE and ESS / ISS sequences. SR proteins (containing RRS domains) and hRNPs proteins in the regulation of splicing.
- Examples of pathologies caused by mutations that deregulate splicing.
- Mechanisms of mRNA editing.
- Notes on the regulation of mRNA transport and localization.
Non-coding RNAs
- micro-RNA: gene structure, transcription and maturation, role of Dicer and RISC proteins, different mechanisms of gene expression regulation (transcription, mRNA stability and translation).
- impact of the discovery of microRNAs in the study of gene function, in tumors and clinical perspectives.
- short-interfering RNAs; use in basic research and in the clinic.
- role of microRNAs in tumor-oncogenes and tumor suppressors (Myc and p53 as examples)

Understanding key concepts in molecular biology.