13276 - Cellular Biochemistry II

Academic Year 2007/2008

  • Docente: Michela Rugolo
  • Credits: 3
  • SSD: BIO/10
  • Language: Italian
  • Teaching Mode: In-person learning (entirely or partially)
  • Campus: Bologna
  • Corso: Second cycle degree programme (LS) in Industrial Molecular Biotechnologies (cod. 0444)

Learning outcomes

Detailed knowledge of some important signalling mechanisms operating in animal cells and description of the experimental strategies utilized to achieve this knowledge. 

 

Course contents

Protein kinases and phosphatases: classification and functionl domains of PKA and PKC. PPases: molecular organization . AKAP: specificity of kinases and PPases.

Rhodopsin and the family of  seven helical  receptors: 3D structure and functional domains. Signalling strategies of seven helical receptors: dependent and indepedent from G proteins. receptor inactivation: the GRK family. Arrestins as signalling  molecular switchs

PLC and adelylate cyclase as models for effector systems.

Calcium as universal messenger: transpoters and pumps in cellular membranes. IP3 and ryanodine receptors. Other intracellular calcium mobilizators: cADPR and NAADP.. Temporal and spatial aspects of calcium signalling. Capacitative calcium entry. Calcium and mitochondria: studies with recombinant aequorin.

Cyclic AMP: in vivo measurements with FRET: spatial and temporal aspect of signalling

Mitochondria: Mitochondrial ultrastructure; determination of the morphological and functional heterogenicity of the mitochondrial network in vivo by means of fluorescent dyes and proteins. Contact sites between the mitochondrial membranes: VDAC and the energetic function. Proteins involved in the regulation of mitochondrial fusion and fission and apoptosis. The mitochondrial DNA.

Readings/Bibliography

Scientific articles

Teaching methods

Lectures

Assessment methods

Oral examination

Teaching tools

Powerpoint presentations and papers  given by the teacher during the course

Office hours

See the website of Michela Rugolo