MECHANISMS OF SIGNAL TRANSDUCTION

Course objectives

General skills. At the end of the course and after passing the exam, the student will have acquired the knowledge and skills in the areas below. In general, the student will be able to: 1) mechanism of proteins conformational changes, 2) structure and function of signal pathways proteins, 3) explain regulation of proteins by post-tradutional modifications, 4) explain the principles and applications of the most common biochemical methodologies. On the basis of the acquired knowledge, the student will have the ability to interpret and explain biological phenomena from a biochemical point of view, describing the molecular bases of life in terms of structures and chemical reactions. Students' critical and judgmental skills will be developed through excercise classes. Communication skills will also be exercised during the theoretical lessons, which include moments of open discussion. In the future, the student will be able to count on the knowledge and skills just described for the understanding of other disciplines and for the work in analysis and research laboratories. Specific skills. a) knowledge and ability to understand: Knowledge and understanding of the relationship between structure and function of the main classes of signal transduction proteins; understanding of mechanism of protein regulation; understanding of the principles and phenomena underlying the main biochemical methodologies; b) ability to apply knowledge and understanding: ability to interpret and explain biological phenomena from a biochemical point of view; ability to apply appropriate techniques to specific experimental problems; c) autonomy of judgment: be able to solve biochemical problems, also through a quantitative approach; be able to identify biological and biomedical phenomena that can be explained from a biochemical point of view; be able to select and evaluate the most appropriate techniques to solve a specific experimental problem; d) communication skills be able to illustrate and explain biochemical phenomena of signal transduction with appropriate terms and with logical rigor; - be able to describe how the main biochemical techniques work; e) learning ability acquisition of the fundamentals and cognitive tools to continue independently in the study of signal transduction pathways; - acquisition of the basic knowledge necessary to progress autonomously in other biological disciplines; - ability to learn quickly and apply biochemical techniques in laboratory working environments;

Channel 1
ROSSELLA MIELE Lecturers' profile

Program - Frequency - Exams

Course program
COURSE PROGRAM Course contents. The course will be divided into a first part (12 hours) dedicated to the study of the properties, structure and function of proteins. In the second part the course is focused on description of signal transduction pathway in particular neurological pathway (24 hours). Finally The last part of the course will be devoted to the main methodologies used in the biochemical laboratory. Protein structure α e β domain. Mechanism of folding Membrane anchoring and signal transduction. Myristoylation, palmitoylation, farnesylation and geranylation. Switch function of lipid anchors. Protein modules. Extracellular signaling molecules : synthesis regulation. Receptor ion channel : K-channel, Na-Channel and InsP3 channel. G protein-coupled signal transmission pathways: structure, dimerization, mechanism of signal transmission and desensitization. The Gtpase superfamily: general functions and mechanism. Signal transmission pathways via tyrosine-protein kinase receptors: structure, dimerization, mechanism of activation and regulation. Protein modules as coupling elements of signal protein: SH2 domain, SH3 domain, PH domain, FYVE domain. Second messengers: general function. Synthesis: adenylyl cyclase, guanylyl cyclase, PI3 kinase, phospholipase C. Ser/Thr protein Kinases and phosphatases. Structure, mechanism of activation and regulation. Signal trasmission via Ras proteins. Structure, mechanism of activation and regulation ( GAP, GEF, GDI). The protein cascade of MAPK Kinase pathways Signaling by nuclear receptors. Regulation of gene expression. Structure of eucaryotic transcriptional activators. Classification and structure of nuclear receptors. Regulation of signaling. Techniques for dissection of signal pathways
Books
Gerhard Krauss Biochemistry of signal transduction and regulation WILEY.VCH
Exam mode
ASSESSMENT METHODS The exam, which takes place at the end of the course, is oral In general, the student's preparation will be evaluated on the basis of his ability to describe trasdutional signal processes in a clear and scientifically rigorous manner and to be able to link the various topics, showing that he understood the biochemical logic of the living. In particular, the student will be asked: the knowledge of the structure and function of the main classes of proteins; the ability to explain the main transduction pathways, the ability to explain the principles and applications of the most common biochemical methodologies. For the purposes of the overall assessment of the student's preparation, the skills of communication, criticism and judgment will also be taken into consideration.
  • Lesson code1034889
  • Academic year2024/2025
  • CourseNeurobiology
  • CurriculumSingle curriculum
  • Year1st year
  • Semester1st semester
  • SSDBIO/10
  • CFU6
  • Subject areaDiscipline del settore biomolecolare