Unit BIOCHEMISTRY

GENERAL AND APPLIED BIOCHEMISTRY

Code	GP005391
CFU	5
Teacher	Elisabetta Chiaradia
Teachers	Elisabetta Chiaradia
Hours	50 ore - Elisabetta Chiaradia
Learning activities	Base
Area	Discipline della struttura, funzione e metabolismo delle molecole di interesse biologico
Sector	BIOS-07/A
Type of study-unit	Obbligatorio (Required)
Language of instruction	Italian
Contents	Regulation of enzyme activity. Bioenergetics and metabolism. Functional role and anabolic and catabolic processes of carbohydrates, lipids and proteins, including the mechanisms of transdeamination. Mechanisms of regulation of the metabolism and interrelationships between the various metabolisms in mammals. General Principles on preparative and analytical techniques.
Reference texts	M.L. Nelson, M.M. Cox "Principi di Biochimica di Lehninger" Zanichelli; K. Wilson, J. Walker “Biochimica e biologia molecolare. Principi e tecniche” Cortina Raffaello
Educational objectives	D1 - KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING At the end of the course, students will be able to understand and apply: - the principles of bioenergetics in the interpretation of cellular metabolism; - the metabolic pathways involving carbohydrates, lipids and proteins and their regulation, the metabolic specialization of the main organs, and intra-cellular and inter-organ metabolic integration; - the theoretical basis of the most commonly used preparative, spectroscopic, chromatographic and electrophoretic techniques. D2 - APPLYING KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING At the end of the course, students should have developed the following skills: - apply the knowledge acquired on metabolic reactions to understand organ and tissue specificities and differences between species, which will be covered later in the course ‘Veterinary and Molecular Biochemistry’; - understand, recognise and predict the different metabolic adaptations resulting from dietary or environmental changes, as well as the different physiological needs and those related to animal welfare; - use basic biochemical laboratory equipment as methods for scientific research in compliance with biosafety protocols. D3 - AUTONOMY OF JUDGMENT Students must be able to critically and independently discuss the homeostatic adaptations expected in the event of normal or pathological changes in metabolism or nutrition. D4 - COMMUNICATION SKILLS At the end of the course, students should be able to organise and present the knowledge they have acquired, supporting it with rigorous argumentation, completeness, and the ability to connect it to other contexts, using language appropriate to the audience in both written and oral form. D5 - LIFELONG LEARNING SKILLS At the end of the course, students should be able to: - integrate and independently manage the knowledge acquired with information derived from scientific texts or bibliographic resources and apply what they have learned in different contexts, including research; - have a command of the subject matter such as to be able to understand the content of subsequent courses such as veterinary biochemistry, molecular biology, physiology, general pathology, nutrition, pharmacotoxicology and laboratory medicine. Day-one competences 2, 5, 6, 8, 9, 11, 13, 14, 21, 22, 29, 36.
Prerequisites
Teaching methods	The course is organized as follow: - Lectures (43 hours) on all subjects of the course - Practical exercises (total of 7 hours), carried out in the teaching laboratories (basement level of the main building), with guided activities and discussions with the instructor, aimed at introducing students to the understanding and solution of basic biochemical laboratory problems, for a better comprehension of the specific properties of biomolecules. The exercises will also provide an opportunity for joint review and in-depth discussion of topics covered in lectures. Students will be divided into 4 groups (maximum 20 students per group).
Other information	Slides used by the teacher for lessons will be available on-line. According to groups of students, meetings will be conducted for the review of the program close to the examination The teacher is available (by prior arrangement via e-mail) for clarifications on topics covered in class, also outside regular office hours, including meetings with organized student groups for active discussion and critical in-depth analysis.
Learning verification modality
Extended program	Review of: properties and reactivity of the functional groups characterizing biomolecules. Protein–ligand interactions; concepts of affinity and specificity applied to enzymatic catalysis and transport systems (hemoglobin and membrane proteins). Conformational changes; homotropic and heterotropic allosteric modulation. ENZYMES: biological catalysts; principles of enzymatic kinetics; Michaelis–Menten kinetics. Allosteric enzymes. Role of coenzymes and prosthetic groups (NAD, FAD, CoA, PLP, TPP, biotin, lipoate). REGULATION OF METABOLISM: mechanisms of regulation of enzymatic activity, including allosteric regulation and reversible/irreversible covalent modification. Hormonal regulation: concept of second messengers and signal cascade amplification. Regulation by induction. Automatic regulation. Cellular compartmentalization. BIOERGETICS AND METABOLISM: Overview of bioenergetics: endergonic and exergonic reactions, coupled reactions, and the role of high-energy phosphate bonds. ATP cycle and fundamental principles of biological energy transfer. Overview of metabolism: general organization of metabolic pathways and their regulation. Interconnection between anabolic and catabolic processes and basic principles governing metabolic fluxes in response to cellular energy demands. GLUCIDIC CATABOLISM: review of carbohydrate structure and reactivity. Origin and fates of glucose; metabolic activation of glucose. Glycolysis: individual reactions of the two phases; utilization of other monosaccharides; fates of pyruvate (lactate dehydrogenase and pyruvate dehydrogenase complex). LIPID CATABOLISM: review of lipid structure. Transport of lipids in blood (overview). ß-oxidation: acyl-CoA synthetase, role of carnitine and transport regulation; ß-oxidation of saturated and unsaturated fatty acids, individual reactions and energy yield. TERMINAL METABOLISM: origin of acetyl-CoA. KREBS CYCLE: individual reactions, amphibolic role, role of oxaloacetate, anaplerotic reactions; reciprocal regulation of pyruvate carboxylase and pyruvate dehydrogenase. RESPIRATORY CHAIN AND OXIDATIVE PHOSPHORYLATION: electron carriers and redox potential; the four complexes of the respiratory chain; ubiquinone cycle; proton pumps and proton gradient. ATP synthase complex. Energy yield. Thermogenin and uncouplers. Adenine nucleotide translocase. Reactive oxygen species. Shuttle systems (malate–aspartate and glycerol phosphate). PROTEIN CATABOLISM: overview of nitrogen metabolism. Digestion and degradation of proteins; metabolic fate of amino acids. Glucogenic and lipogenic amino acids; transdeamination reactions. GLUCONEOGENESIS: origin of precursors and specific reactions; reciprocal regulation of glycolysis and gluconeogenesis; bifunctional enzyme and fructose 2,6-bisphosphate. Synthesis and degradation of glycogen; role of UDP-glucose; allosteric and covalent regulation of glycogen metabolism. Cori cycle. KETOGENESIS: synthesis and biological significance of ketone bodies. FATTY ACID BIOSYNTHESIS: synthesis of palmitate; chain elongation and desaturation reactions; citrate transport and role of the malic enzyme.
Obiettivi Agenda 2030 per lo sviluppo sostenibile

VETERINARY AND MOLECULAR BIOCHEMISTRY

Code	A006112
CFU	3
Teacher	Luca Avellini
Teachers	Luca Avellini
Hours	30 ore - Luca Avellini
Learning activities	Base
Area	Discipline della struttura, funzione e metabolismo delle molecole di interesse biologico
Sector	BIOS-07/A
Type of study-unit	Obbligatorio (Required)
Language of instruction	Italian
Contents	Integration and regulation of metabolic processes through signal transduction systems. Metabolic specialisations of tissues, particularly the liver, rumen and mammary gland. Biochemistry of digestive processes in monogastric and polygastric species. Nitrogen metabolism and nitrogen excretion systems. In-depth study and biochemical and molecular aspects of genetic information: review of the structure, function and metabolism of nucleic acids, nucleotide metabolism. Molecular Biology methods.
Reference texts	Nelson D.L., Cox M.M. - Principi di Biochimica. Zanichelli, Bologna. Dale J. W., von Schantz M., Plant N. - Dai geni ai genomi.. EdiSES
Educational objectives	D1 - KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING Students must demonstrate adequate knowledge - of the principles of systematic biochemistry in order to understand the metabolic specialisations of the different parts of the body, particularly the liver, rumen and udder; - of the principles of comparative biochemistry in order to understand the main metabolic differences between different animal species, with particular reference to mono- and poly-gastric species; ammoniotelic, ureotelic and uricotelic species. - of the metabolism of nucleotides and nucleic acids in order to understand the molecular logic of life. D2 - ABILITY TO APPLY KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING At the end of the course, students should have developed the following skills: - apply the knowledge learned to predict, interpret and study the different nutritional needs of animals of veterinary interest. - understand the management of metabolic diseases in a species-specific manner. D3 - AUTONOMY OF JUDGEMENT Students will be able to: - critically and independently discuss the homeostatic adaptations expected in the event of normal or pathological changes in metabolism or nutrition; - understand how homeostasis depends on signal transduction mechanisms. D4 - COMMUNICATION SKILLS At the end of the course, students should be able to organise and present the knowledge they have acquired, supporting it with rigorous argumentation, completeness and the ability to connect it to other contexts, using language appropriate to the audience in both written and oral form. D5 - LEARNING SKILLS At the end of the course, students should be able to: - integrate and manage the knowledge acquired independently with information derived from scientific texts or bibliographic resources and apply what they have learned in different contexts, including research; - have a command of the subject matter such that they can understand the content of subsequent courses such as physiology, general pathology, nutrition and pharmacology-toxicology. Day-one competences 2, 5, 6, 8, 9, 11, 13, 14, 21, 22, 24, 29.
Prerequisites
Teaching methods	The course is organised as follows: - Lectures (26 hours) in the classroom on all course topics. - 1 practical exercise (total 4 hours/student) organised as cooperative laboratory activity to stimulate effective communication between peers and implement the principles of teamwork and mutual respect. The topics to be covered will relate to certain subjects discussed during the lectures - Students will be divided into four groups (maximum 22 students).
Other information	The lecturer will make the material used for the lessons available online. The lecturer is also available (by prior arrangement) outside official office hours (Tuesdays and Thursdays, 1-2 p.m.) to explain topics covered in the programme. During the lecture period, students will be able to refer to a classroom tutor who will personally manage relations with the various lecturers during the semester and keep them informed about all the tools available to help them progress in their careers.
Learning verification modality
Extended program	Course presentation and review of general biochemistry. Descriptions of the main metabolic specialisations of different tissues and organs. (1.5 hours). DIGESTIVE PROCESSES IN MONOGASTRICS; Digestion, absorption and transport of carbohydrates and lipids. Lipoproteins: structure, synthesis and role, cholesterol biosynthesis. (2.5 hours) Protein digestion: role and specificity of proteases, absorption of amino acids. Nitrogen balance and excretion pathways: ureogenesis, role of alanine and glutamine, uricogenesis. Biogenic amines. (5 hours). RUMINAL METABOLISM. Structural characteristics of plant polysaccharides: cellulose, hemicellulose, pectic substances. Hydrolytic phase of ruminal carbohydrate digestion. Oxidative phase of ruminal carbohydrate digestion: anaerobic glycolysis, Entner-Doudoroff pathway, phosphoenolpyruvate pathway, pentose phosphate pathway (its role in animal metabolism and ROS scavenging processes). Reductive phase of ruminal carbohydrate metabolism - Fate of pyruvic acid: production of acetate, propionate, butyrate, lactate, formate, and H2 methanogenesis (7 hours). Biohydrogenation: reactions and significance, conjugated isomers of linoleic acid (CLA). Metabolism of nitrogen compounds in polygastric species (1.5 hours). Mammary gland: lactose synthesis and role of alpha-lactalbumin, fat globules, milk protein classes (1.5 hours). NUCLEOTIDE METABOLISM. Review of the structures and properties of nucleotides. De novo biosynthesis of purine and pyrimidine nucleotides and their regulation. Transformation of ribonucleotides into deoxyribonucleotides. Purine nucleotide recycling pathways. Catabolism of purine nucleotides (2 hours). MOLECULAR TECHNIQUES. Overview of gene expression regulation. Mechanisms of action, properties, and biotechnological applications of enzymes involved in nucleic acid metabolism in prokaryotes and eukaryotes (2 hours). Fundamentals of recombinant DNA technologies; cloning, sequencing, fingerprinting, and PCR (3 hours).
Obiettivi Agenda 2030 per lo sviluppo sostenibile