37201 - Metabolic Biochemistry

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course the student knows: the essential elements of the intermediate metabolism of the main biological molecules (carbohydrates, lipids and nitrogenous compounds), the energy modifications associated with them, their relationships and metabolic and hormonal regulations, as well as the localization and cellular compartmentalization of main metabolic pathways; the specialization of the various human organs and tissues in metabolic activities as a prerequisite for the knowledge of their specific functions; the molecular mechanisms of regulation of cellular activity with particular regard to cellular signal transduction and the function of hormones, other extracellular messengers and vitamins at the metabolic and genic level; the biochemical principles that are the basis of human nutrition with particular regard to the molecular mechanisms of digestion and absorption of nutrients and essential nutritional principles with references to nutrigenomics.

Course contents

The course is integrated and teaching is divided into topics of which the program carried out by Dr. Zanna (M1) and Prof. Lorenzini (M2) is articulated as follows:

M1_General information on metabolism. Metabolic pathways, their regulation and compartmentalization; catabolism and anabolism.

M1_Glucidic metabolism. Glycolysis; gluconeogenesis; glycogen metabolism (glycogenolysis and glycogen synthesis); pentose phosphate pathway; Krebs cycle; oxidative phosphorylation.

M1_Lipid metabolism. Fatty acid catabolism; ketons; lipid biosynthesis (fatty acids, triglycerides, phospholipids, cholesterol); transport of lipids, role of lipoproteins.

M2_Metabolism integration. Energy needs of the main organs, metabolic correlations between the organs: in the state of good nutrition, in fasting, during physical activity, pregnancy and breastfeeding. Ketogenic diets.

M2_Glutens, lipids, proteins in nutrition. Digestion and absorption, guidelines, calorie restriction and longevity

M2_ Eating behavior disorders. Anorexia, bulimia, binge eating disorder.

M1_Nitrogenous metabolism. Biosynthesis and degradation of amino acids; synthesis, recovery and degradation of purines; synthesis and degradation of pyrimidines; deoxyribonucleotide synthesis.

M1_Permeability and membrane transport. Kinetic and thermodynamic aspects of solute transport. Channel proteins and facilitated diffusion of solutes. Primary and secondary active transport.

M1_Signal transduction. Signal transduction mediated by membrane receptors: heterotrimeric G protein-coupled receptors (cyclic AMP pathway, Diacylglycerol pathway, Inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate and Ca2+ as intracellular messengers), structural and functional characteristics of G proteins, mechanisms switching off the signal transduction pathway; receptors with intrinsic enzymatic activity (insulin and growth factor receptors), Ras protein and MAP kinase and Phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase PI3K pathways; cytokine receptors (via Jak/Stat); Receptors-Channel.

Nuclear receptor-mediated signal transduction: nuclear receptors and response elements to lipophilic hormones.

Hormones: general aspects of the biochemical-physiological action of different hormones. Molecular and metabolic effects of hormones regulating tissue metabolism. Modulation and coordination of tissue metabolism in the human organism.

Readings/Bibliography

D.L. Nelson, M.M. Cox "Lehninger's Principles of Biochemistry". VIII ed., Zanichelli

T.M. Devlin, "Biochemistry with Clinical Aspects" V ed., Edises

C. Pignatti, Biochemistry of nutrition, Esculapio, Publication date: March 2022, ISBN: 8893852853

Teaching methods

Lectures based on Power-Point presentations

Assessment methods

The Metabolic Biochemistry course consists of two modules (module 1 Dr. Zanna, module 2 Prof. Lorenzini). For each module, the exam consists of a written exam with open-ended or multiple-choice questions. The grade of each module will be expressed out of thirty.

Before taking the Metabolic Biochemistry exam, the student must take and pass the General Chemistry and Biochemistry exam.

The marks obtained in the Chemistry, Metabolic Biochemistry and Molecular Biology modules contribute to the definition of the I.C. mark. of Biochemistry, which will correspond to the weighted average on the basis of the credits of the respective modules of the C.I.

If a student decides to take the exam again, regardless of the associated result, the result obtained in the previous exam will be automatically cancelled. The exam can be repeated in any exam session.

The validity of a positive exam will be 1 year from the date of the exam; after this term, the result achieved and not confirmed will lapse.

Teaching tools

Teaching is represented by lectures and studies of scientific publications.

Office hours

See the website of Claudia Zanna

See the website of Antonello Lorenzini