LEARNING OUTCOMES

Provide students with a broad general understanding of the principles of biochemistry and molecular biology. At the same time the course offers examples of biochemical and technological applications in various fields.

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

Acquisition of basic knowledge on the structure and function of proteins with particular attention to those with enzymatic activity. Use of this knowledge for learning, at the molecular level, of the biochemistry of the main catabolic and anabolic processes. Participation in the training activity (lectures) will allow the student to acquire the knowledge necessary to understand the mechanisms related to cellular metabolism.

PREREQUISITES

In order to effectively address the contents of the course, the following basic knowledge is required: 1) general structures of biomolecules 2) general principles of organic chemistry

TEACHING METHODS

The lessons take place in the first semester through lectures that make use of slide projections.

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

• INTRODUCTION TO BIOCHEMISTRY

Compartmentalization and cellular transport.

• ENZYMES

Enzymes and their properties. Enzymatic kinetics. Enzymatic inhibition.

• AMINO ACIDS AND PROTEINS

General properties of a standard amino acid. Peptide bond and its geometric isomerism. Definition of polypeptide and protein. Protein structures. Structure of the heme group. Carbon monoxide and oxygen binding properties of myoglobin and hemoglobin and their structure. Role of pH and 2,3-Diphosphoglycerate.

• COENZYMES AND VITAMINS

Vitamins and Coenzymes. Pyridine coenzymes NAD and NADP: oxide / reductive inter-conversions with hydride ion transfer mechanism.

• METABOLISM

General concepts (anabolism and catabolism) Energy molecules (ATP and reduced coenzymes). Energy production strategies.

• GLUCOSE AND GLYCOLYSIS

Glucose transport. Transporters (GLUT). Scheme of glycolysis and enzymes involved. Exokinase and glucokinase.PFK1.Pyruvate kinase. Glycolysis regulation. Anareobic glycolysis. Alcoholic fermentation.

• GLUCONEOGENESIS

Gluconeogenesis substrates. Gluconeogenesis scheme. Adjustment

• GLYCOGEN

Structure of glycogen. Muscle and hepatic glycogen. Synthesis and demolition. Hormonal regulation (insulin and glucagon). Protein kinase and phosphatase.

• VIA PENTOSE PHOSPHATE

Oxidative and non-oxidative phase. NADPH. Glutathione. Glutathione peroxidase and reductase. Control of the pentose pathway. Decarboxylating malate dehydrogenase (malic enzyme)

• KREBS CYCLE

Pyruvate oxidative decarboxylation. Pyruvate dehydrogenase complex and its regulation. Krebs cycle and its regulation. Energy Performance. Anaplerotic reactions.

• LIPIDS

Structure of triglycerides and fatty acids. Digestion and absorption. Lipase and its activation. Carnitine. Oxidation of saturated fatty acids, with odd carbon numbers and mono unsaturated. Energy balance. Adjustment. Chetonic bodies. Saturated fatty acid biosynthesis. Adjustment. Lipoproteins.

• OXIDATIVE PHOSPHORILATION

Mitochondria. Reducing equivalents and their production. Respiratory chain. Respiratory complexes. Coenzyme Q and cytochromes. Redox potentials. Mitchell's chemiosmotic theory. ATP-asi and ATP production. Oxidative phosphorylation yield. Inhibitors of oxidative phosphorylation. Shuttle systems for the transport of NADH cytosol / mitochondria. (glycerophosphate, malate-aspartate). Translocation

• NITROGEN METABOLISM

Amino acids and their degradation. Digestive enzymes. Transamination reactions. Transaminase mechanism of action. Deammination of glutamate. Glutamine and glutamine synthetase. Muscle-liver alanine cycle (alanine-glucose). Urea cycle. Interaction of urea and Krebs cycles.

• ENERGY METABOLISM: INTEGRATION AND REGULATION

Metabolic specialization of the organs. Hormones and hormonal regulation.

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

Principi di Biochimica - Garrett, Grisham - Editore: Piccin

I principi di biochimica di Lehninger - Nelson, Cox - Editore: Zanichelli

Biochimica - Stryer, Timoczcko, Berg - Editore: Zanichelli

Biochimica - Campbell, Farrell - Editore: EdiSES

Fondamenti di Biochimica - Voet, Voet, Pratt - Editore: Zanichelli

Fondamenti di Biochimica- L Pollegioni-  Editore EDISES

AulaWeb materials and slides