Functional, metabolic and epigenetic biochemistry
A.A. 2018/2019
Learning objectives
Cellular homeostasis is the resultant of a complex network of chemical reactions and metabolic pathways occurring within the different organelles present in the cell and in a continuous and dynamic cross-talk. The regulation of gene expression plays a significant role in all cell regulatory activities and epigenetic modification of the DNA have a unique role in the control of specific cell functions. Deviances from natural homeostasis generally result in pathology. The aim of the course will be to familiarize the students with major intracellular potential targets of selected classes of xenobiotics and environmental stressors of chemical and physical nature and with the methodologies to be applied for the study and identification of xenobiotics potentially harmful for human health.
Expected learning outcomes
Non definiti
Periodo: Primo semestre
Modalità di valutazione: Esame
Giudizio di valutazione: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Corso singolo
Questo insegnamento non può essere seguito come corso singolo. Puoi trovare gli insegnamenti disponibili consultando il catalogo corsi singoli.
Course syllabus and organization
Edizione unica
Responsabile
Periodo
Primo semestre
Programma
1. Liver and its structure in relation with its functions. Metabolism and molecular
mechanisms of regulation of metabolic pathways. Glucose, lipid and amino acid
metabolism. Mevalonate pathway, cholesterol and bile acid synthesis and metabolism.
Lipoprotein metabolism. Metabolism of xenobiotics.
2. Adipose tissues: "the adipose organ". Molecular mechanisms of differentiation and of
metabolic functions of adipose tissues. Molecular mechanisms of lipogenesis and
lipolysis. Role of factors released by adipose tissues in metabolic homeostasis.
3. Skeletal muscle and bone: metabolic features of skeletal muscle fibers. Biochemical
determinants of skeletal muscle remodeling. Structure and components of the bone.
Calcium metabolism. Biochemistry and metabolism of osteoblast and osteoclast
differentiation and of bone remodeling. Role of factors released by skeletal muscles and
bones on metabolic homeostasis.
4. Brain: metabolic functions of main brain cell populations. Regulation of glucose
metabolism in neurons and astrocytes. Cholesterol and fatty acid metabolism in the
brain and their functional role.
5. Regulation of metabolism. Interorgan correlations. Regulation of metabolism in response
to hormones and nutritional status. Molecular mechanisms of regulation of metabolism.
6. Epigenetics and regulation. Modifications of DNA bases. Histone modifications.
Epigenetic marks of transcriptional activation and repression.
7. Stem cells, differentiation and epigenetics. Epigenetics and cell reprogramming.
Environment and epigenetics. Transgenerational effects of epigenome modifications.
mechanisms of regulation of metabolic pathways. Glucose, lipid and amino acid
metabolism. Mevalonate pathway, cholesterol and bile acid synthesis and metabolism.
Lipoprotein metabolism. Metabolism of xenobiotics.
2. Adipose tissues: "the adipose organ". Molecular mechanisms of differentiation and of
metabolic functions of adipose tissues. Molecular mechanisms of lipogenesis and
lipolysis. Role of factors released by adipose tissues in metabolic homeostasis.
3. Skeletal muscle and bone: metabolic features of skeletal muscle fibers. Biochemical
determinants of skeletal muscle remodeling. Structure and components of the bone.
Calcium metabolism. Biochemistry and metabolism of osteoblast and osteoclast
differentiation and of bone remodeling. Role of factors released by skeletal muscles and
bones on metabolic homeostasis.
4. Brain: metabolic functions of main brain cell populations. Regulation of glucose
metabolism in neurons and astrocytes. Cholesterol and fatty acid metabolism in the
brain and their functional role.
5. Regulation of metabolism. Interorgan correlations. Regulation of metabolism in response
to hormones and nutritional status. Molecular mechanisms of regulation of metabolism.
6. Epigenetics and regulation. Modifications of DNA bases. Histone modifications.
Epigenetic marks of transcriptional activation and repression.
7. Stem cells, differentiation and epigenetics. Epigenetics and cell reprogramming.
Environment and epigenetics. Transgenerational effects of epigenome modifications.
Prerequisiti
Basic knowledge in Biology, Genetics, Biochemistry, Molecular and Cell Biology, Physiology, General and Organic Chemistry and Physics from BS degree.
Exam will be written with two open questions (one hour or 1.5 hour maximum) followed by discussion on the written test on the topics illustrated to students during the classes, with the aim of assessing how the concepts have been acquired.
Exam will be written with two open questions (one hour or 1.5 hour maximum) followed by discussion on the written test on the topics illustrated to students during the classes, with the aim of assessing how the concepts have been acquired.
Professor(s)
Ricevimento:
Da concordare con appuntamento
Dip. di Scienze Farmacologiche e Biomolecolari, via Balzaretti 9