Learning objectives
Knowing how to describe and comment on structural properties of globular and fibrous proteins; to understand the folding process, the concepts of misfold and protein aggregation. Knowing and apply knowledge regarding protein homology. 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, homology and evolution. 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.
Proteins and evolution - Homology and families of proteins, alignments of protein sequences, isoforms of proteins linked to development, tissue-specific and species-specific.
Fibrous proteins - Keratin, collagen and elastin, structural and functional details, collagen diseases and Marfan syndrome.
Protein homeostasis - Post-translational modifications, protein targeting in 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 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.
Teaching methods
The course will be held through lectures to Students either in classroom (“in presenza”) or in synchronous-streaming (“in telepresenza”) on Teams platform. Therefore, the opportunity of Student/Teacher interaction will be preserved both face to face and remotely, by the simultaneous use of the Teams platform. Lessons will be aided by presentations and videos, promoting the molecular approach; web sites and useful references will be suggested.
Lectures will be supported by slide presentations, which will be available to students on Elly platform (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 (by Teams and/or Elly). The 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
