37201 - Metabolic Biochemistry (B)

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course, the student will know: the essential elements of the intermediary metabolism of major biological molecules (carbohydrates, lipids, and nitrogenous compounds), the associated energy modifications, their interrelationships and metabolic and hormonal regulations, as well as the cellular localization and compartmentalization of the main metabolic pathways; the specialization of various human organs and tissues in metabolic activities as a prerequisite for understanding their specific functions; the molecular mechanisms of cellular activity regulation with particular regard to intracellular signal transduction and the function of hormones, other extracellular messengers, and vitamins at the metabolic and genetic levels; the biochemical principles underlying human nutrition with particular emphasis on the molecular mechanisms of nutrient digestion and absorption and essential nutritive principles with references to nutrigenomics.

Course contents

Overview of hormones and other extracellular messengers. Chemical classification of hormones, growth factors, and cytokines. Biosynthesis, secretion, and plasma transport of hormones. Hormonal receptors and their regulation.

Signal transduction mediated by nuclear receptors. Nuclear receptors and elements of response to lipophilic hormones. Signal transduction mediated by membrane receptors. Channel receptors. Receptors coupled to heterotrimeric G proteins. Cyclic AMP pathway. Diacylglycerol, inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate, and calcium ions as intracellular messengers. Cyclic GMP and nitric oxide. Insulin and growth factor receptors. Ras protein and MAP kinase pathways and Phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K). Growth hormone and cytokine receptors. Jak/Stat pathway, NF-kB activation.


Nutrients and their functions. Essential nutrients. Nutritional and energy requirements. Nutrition status and its indicators. Body mass index and its correlations. Body composition and its modifications. Energy balance and its components: basal and total metabolism. Short-term and long-term regulation of energy balance. Gastrointestinal and adipose tissue signals in energy balance control. Leptin: biological and biochemical role. Leptin gene and its receptor and correlations with obesity and diabetes. Adiponectin function. AMPK function. Nutrigenomics: transcriptional regulation of metabolism by nutrients. Nutrient "sensors," transcription factors, and their functions. PPAR, SREBP, ChREBP, CREB. Biochemical-molecular adaptations after a meal and in conditions of short, prolonged, and sustained fasting. Biochemical role of Sirtuins.


Energetic macronutrients. Carbohydrates: biochemical-nutritional role. Characteristics and functions of dietary fiber. Prebiotics and probiotics. Digestion and absorption of carbohydrates. Glycemic index and glycemic load of foods. Transcriptional regulation after a meal: role of insulin and glucose. Biochemical bases of type 1 and type 2 diabetes: causes, metabolic imbalances, and correlations with obesity. Lipids: biochemical-nutritional role. Digestion and absorption of lipids. Biochemical composition, functions, and metabolism of different lipoproteins. LDL receptors. Regulation of cholesterol homeostasis. Atheromatous plaque genesis. Essential fatty acids and derivatives: biochemical-nutritional aspects. w-6 and w-3 families. Prostaglandins and leukotrienes. Proteins: biochemical-nutritional role. Biological value and protein requirement. Essential amino acids. Protein complementarity. Nitrogen balance and protein turnover. Digestion and absorption of proteins. Fate of some amino acids. Correlations between proteins and TOR, insulin, and IGF1 (IIS) pathways. Protein-related pathologies. Protein and protein-calorie malnutrition: biochemical bases and adaptations.
Micronutrients: biochemical-nutritional aspects. Regulation and biochemical-molecular aspects of Iron and Calcium homeostasis. Water-soluble vitamins. Biochemical characteristics and dietary sources. Coenzyme activity. Specific deficiency syndromes. Fat-soluble vitamins. Biochemical characteristics, biological role, and biochemical mechanism of action. Deficiency syndromes.

Readings/Bibliography

Slides presented during the lecture will be made available to students on the Virtual platform (https://virtuale.unibo.it/).


For the topics covered in the SIGNAL TRANSDUCTION section, it is recommended:

• D.L. Nelson, M.M. Cox "I principi di Biochimica di Lehninger" Zanichelli editore.

For the topics covered in the BIOCHEMISTRY OF NUTRITION  section, it is recommended:

• Pignatti C. “Biochimica della nutrizione” Ed. Esculapio, 2022.

Teaching methods

Lectures

Assessment methods

Oral exam: The Metabolic Biochemistry exam consists of an interview conducted by the professors of the course (Prof. F. Flamigni and Prof. S. Cetrullo).


Partial grades obtained in General Chemistry and Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, and Metabolic Biochemistry contribute to the final grade of the Biochemistry Course Unit, resulting from an overall assessment that takes into account the credits of the various parts.

Teaching tools

Use of text slides integrated with slides depicting original diagrams and figures.

Office hours

See the website of Silvia Cetrullo