Learning objectives
Knowing how to describe and comment on structural properties of globular and fibrous proteins; understanding of the folding process, the concepts of misfold and protein aggregation. Knowing and knowing how to explain the cellular processes related to protein homeostasis.
Knowing how to describe and comment on structure, function, mechanism of action and deficiency syndromes of water-soluble vitamins.
Prerequisites
Course unit content
Protein structure, protein folding and folding models. Protein homeostasis: post-translational modifications, targeting and quality control of folding. Protein misfolding and aggregation.
Water-soluble vitamins: structure, function, mechanism of action and deficiency syndromes.
Full programme
Protein structure - Peptide bond: planarity, configuration, rigidity and rotations. Peptides and proteins, detailed description of protein structure levels.
Motifs and structural domains - Definitions of structural motif and domain. Examples of motifs and domains of alpha, beta and alpha / beta type. Multiple domain proteins.
Fibrous proteins - Keratin and collagen, structural and functional properties.
Globular proteins - IgG antibodies, structural and functional properties.
Protein homeostasis - Post-translational modifications, protein targeting to nucleus, mitochondria, endoplasmic reticulum and secretory pathway, lysosome and membrane.
Protein folding - Thermodynamics and folding, Anfinsen experiment, Levinthal paradox, folding models, energy landscape model.
Protein homeostasis - Folding quality control: disulfide isomerase protein, peptidylprolyl cis /trans isomerase, molecular chaperones, chaperonin, unfolded protein response.
Protein degradation - lysosome-mediated degradation and ubiquitin-proteasome system.
Protein misfolding and aggregation - Conformational diseases, amyloid fiber: cross-beta structure, aggregation, growth and propagation mechanisms. Prions and conformal contagion.
Water-soluble vitamins - B-complex and vitamin C:
- structural formula
- natural sources
- biological action, mechanism of action of the coenzymatic form
- recommended daily intake levels
- deficiency syndrome
Bibliography
Nelson DL, Cox MM: I principi di Biochimica di Lehninger, Zanichelli, Bologna.
Voet D, Voet JG: Biochimica John Wiley & Sons, USA.
L. Pollegioni: Fondamenti di Biochimica, EDISES.
Teaching methods
Lectures will be held on-site in compliance with safety standards, provided that further instructions on the ongoing health emergency are not implemented. Supporting material will be available on the specific, student-reserved Elly platform and will include slide presentations, audio-video aids or video-recording of the lectures (https://elly2020.medicina.unipr.it/).
Assessment methods and criteria
The exam consists in a written test with closed answers, made of 30 multiple-choice questions, ten of which concerning the Biochemistry of Proteins and water-soluble Vitamins. Time allotted for the test is 60 minutes; in the first 20 minutes, the students are allowed to quit, returning the test to the commission. Each positive answer contributes with 1 point to the final grade (0-30/30). There is no penalty for incorrect answers. In case of a positive result, you can choose whether to proceed with the recording of the grade or to take an oral exam.
In case of the persistence of the health emergency, the exam will be conducted remotely, using a structured written test (Teams). This test consists of 6 open-ended questions on all the course contents (reference texts + documents uploaded to Elly during the course).
Students with SLD / BSE must first contact Le Eli-che: support for students with disabilities, D.S.A., B.E.S. (https://sea.unipr.it/it/servizi/le-eli-che-supporto-studenti-con-disabilita-dsa-bes).
Other information
2030 agenda goals for sustainable development
- - -
