93311 - Molecular Signalling Transduction

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course, the student has knowledge of different pathways of intracellular signaling between biological molecules (proteins, nucleic acids, lipids, metabolites) and in-depth knowledge of the main biochemical mechanisms essential for the maintenance and regulation of cellular homeostasis. The student acquires skills for large-scale experimental approaches for modeling and analyzing the complexity of signaling pathways in the context of cellular functions. The student is able to apply the knowledge in practical contexts, including the identification of molecular drug targets and the interpretation of the effect of genetic variations on the functionalities of the signaling pathways. Finally, the student has the skills to maintain and use cell models to perform different biochemical analysis.

Course contents

Part 1- Lectures

Signaling molecular platforms: i) structural and molecular features of 7TM receptors; structural interactions between 7TM receptors and heterotrimeric G proteins; intracellular signaling mechanisms mediated by heterotrimeric G proteins; ii) structural organization of Tyrosine Kinase receptors and their modular and scaffold proteins-mediated transduction; iii) molecular organization of  effectors in signaling transduction; iv) cAMP/PKA/scaffolds proteins as molecular axis in metabolic regulation; v) spatio-temporal aspects of Ca2+mediated signaling.

Mitochondria and signaling transduction: i) Ultrastructure versus network: cristae, mitochondrial reticulum and their morphological and functional characteristics; mitochondrial dynamics; basic methodologies for the analysis of the structure and function of mitochondria; ii) Mitochondria as a cellular signalling platform: metabolites versus oncometabolites; molecular pathways activated by mitochondrial signals; iii) Signaling between mitochondria and ER: ultrastructural features of the subcellular compartment MAMs and protein networks involved in its maintenance and in its cellular function; MAMs as a platform for the biosynthesis of phospholipids between endoplasmic reticulum and mitochondria.

AMPK and mTOR signaling pathways: i) AMPK and mTOR complexes: structure and cellular functions; ii) signaling mediated by the molecular complexes mTORC1 and mTORC2; iii) molecular interaction between AMPK and AKT in signaling triggered by amino acids and growth factors; iv) AMPK and mTOR complexes as a molecular axis in the regulation of autophagy pathway.

Part 2- Experimental laboratory

The experimental laboratory will introduce students to the use of human cell models and to the analysis of the effects of several molecules by evaluting the cell proliferation, expression levels of specific markers and tumorigenic potential in vitro. Students will use basic methodologies of biochemistry and cellular biochemistry. Data obtained will be analyzed and discussed with the teacher.

Readings/Bibliography

Part 1 and Part 2:

Necessary educational supports

Students will be provided with further recommended bibliographical references (reviews and original papers) and the protocol for practical laboratory for a further deepening of the program contents. The educational supports will be provided as PDF files and will be available to the students on the Virtual Learning Environment (https://virtuale.unibo.it).

Advised educational supports

The teacher advises students to consult the following textbooks for clarifications on the basic concepts of cellular and structural biochemistry: i) Cells - Lewin et al; ii) Protein Structure and Function - Petsko and Ringe; iii) Lehninger Principles of Biochemistry - Nelson and Cox.

Teaching methods

Part 1: The teaching method used is based on lectures during which the contents of the program will be illustrated with PowerPoint slides. Attendance to such lessons is not mandatory but it is highly recommended as the contents of the program will be presented and explained by the teacher and will be discussed with the whole class. This teaching method will facilitate the learning of contents and will allow the achievement of the knowledge and skills by the whole class.

Part 2: During the practical experience, students will be supervised by the teacher and the academic tutor in charge, with a constant dialogue and discussion aimed at clarifying the analytical approaches, the individual experiments performed and the methodologies used. The practical experience in laboratory will be carried out in single-double place at the workbench by using several and different laboratory equipment. Students are encouraged to communicate to the teacher any requirements by e-mail as soon as possible. Attendance is highly recommended.

As concerns the teaching methods of this course unit, all students (including all the international incoming exchange students, i.e. ERASMUS) must attend Module 1, 2 online [https://www.unibo.it/it/servizi-e-opportunita/salute-e-assistenza/salute-e-sicurezza/sicurezza-e-salute-nei-luoghi-di-studio-e-tirocinio], while Module 3 on health and safety is to be attended in class. Information about Module 3 attendance schedule is available on the website of your degree programme ("studiare"--"formazione obbligatoria su sicurezza e salute").

Students with special needs and/or certifications are asked to contact the teacher by e-mail, entering DSA service in copy https://site.unibo.it/studenti-con-disabilita-e-dsa/it.

Assessment methods

The learning test assessment of Part 1 and Part 2 of MOLECULAR SIGNALLING TRASDUCTION teaching will consist in an interview-test in order to verify and evaluate the student's knowledge of the contents developed and discussed during the lessons and the experimental laboratory. Moreover, the student's ability to integrate and link the different topics with particular attention to the use of scientific terminology and to the proper and accurate exposure will be evaluated. To obtain a grade of 30/30 with honors, the student must show to know in depth all the topics covered during the lessons. Further, the student must explain and integrate the topics with properties of scientific language.

Students with learning disorders and\or temporary or permanent disabilities: please, contact the office responsible (https://site.unibo.it/studenti-con-disabilita-e-dsa/en) as soon as possible so that they can propose acceptable adjustments. The request for adaptation must be submitted in advance (15 days before the exam date) to the lecturer, who will assess the appropriateness of the adjustments, taking into account the teaching objectives.

Students recognized as “working students”: please consult the dedicated website (https://www.unibo.it/en/study/guide-to-choosing-your-programme/balancing-study-and-work) to apply for this status and to learn about the available measures.

To obtain a grade of 30/30, the student must explain contents covered during the lessons and show the ability to properly integrate them with properties of scientific language. The grade will be scaled from 30/30 to 18/30 based on the number of questions to which the student is able to answer and on her/his ability to integrate the topics with properties of scientific language. In particular, to obtain the minimum grade of 18/30 the student must show to have basic knowledge of all the contents discussed during the lessons and not be able to integrate them with properties of scientific language.

The student is invited to confirm via e-mail (annamaria.porcelli@unibo.it) to accept or not accept the grade of the MOLECULAR SIGNALLING TRANSDUCTION module (Prof. Porcelli) by 12 pm on the day following the exam date. Students have the right to reject the proposed positive grade once (in accordance with the University Teaching Regulations, ART.16, paragraph 5).

This grade will contribute to the final grade of the integrated MOLECULAR INTERACTION NETWORKS course (Prof. Porcelli and Iommarini) and will be calculated as the weighted average of the two marks. Students have the right to reject the proposed positive grade once (in accordance with the University Teaching Regulations, ART.16, paragraph 5).

Teaching tools

Part 1 and Part 2:

The contents of the lectures will be presented using PowerPoint slides and will be discussed with the whole class through appropriate teaching supports. Students are encouraged to communicate to the teacher any requirements by e-mail as soon as possible. This will allow the teacher to evaluate which teaching support tools are most adequate to make the training course accessible to all students.

Office hours

See the website of Anna Maria Porcelli