Structure and function of proteins. Principles of thermodynamics. Kinetic and enzymatic catalysis. Structure and function of carbohydrates, lipids and nucleic acids. The metabolism of proteins, carbohydrates, lipids and nucleic acids. Spectrophotometric and Electrophoretic techniques.
1) Garrett & Grisham “Biochimica” V ed.; Piccin Ed.
2) Campbell Biochimica” V ed.; EDISES Ed.
3) Voet, "Fondamenti di Biochimica" iV ed.; Zanichelli
Learning Objectives
The course aims to train the student in relation to the general principles of Biochemistry. This course provides knowledge about the structure and function of biological macromolecules, methods and techniques used for their study, metabolism and metabolic regulation.
Prerequisites
The course requires knowledge of general chemistry, organic and basic notions of biology.
Teaching Methods
Lectures, carried out in presence.
Teaching materials: Slides of the lessons available in Pdf.
Tools to support teaching: Video projector, PC, Moodle e-learning platform.
Further information
student reception hours
Prof. P. Cirri: monday 8,30-11,30
Prof.ssa A. Caselli:
monday 15,30
Location:
Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche Sperimentali e Cliniche "Mario Serio", viale Morgagni 50, 50134 Firenze.
Type of Assessment
The exam consists of an ORAL interview and concerns the topics of the program. the teacher will articulate specific questions aimed at verifying the preparation on the subject and the knowledge acquired throughout the course (70 points), the ability to discursively organize knowledge (10 points), the ability to connect between different topics (10 points), as well as the competence in the use of the appropriate scientific lexicon (5 points) and the effectiveness of the exhibition (5 points). The final grade results from all these contributions considered important indicators of the adequacy of the level of learning achieved and the achievement of the learning outcomes envisaged by the course.
Course program
Amino acids and proteins
Amino acids and their derivatives. The peptide bond. Primary and secondary structure of proteins. Tertiary structure: globular and fibrous proteins. Collagen. Quaternary structure. Protein stability. Electrophoretic techniques: principles and applications. Iso-electrophoresis, electrophoresis
1- and 2-dimensional. Hints of Proteomics.
Oxygen-carrying proteins.
II heme group. Structure and function of myoglobin and hemoglobin. Cooperative binding and oxygen transport efficiency. Bohr effect. Effect of 2,3-bisphosphoglycerate. Fetal hemoglobin. Carbon dioxide transport.
Principles of thermodynamics.
First and second principles of thermodynamics. Free energy of a chemical reaction. Exo- and endoergonic reactions. Coupled reactions.
Principles of catalysis and enzyme kinetics.
Definition of enzymatic rate. Factors affecting enzyme activity. Definition of initial rate. Michaelis-Menten equation. Meaning of kinetic parameters KM, Vmax, kcat. Practical kinetics. Principles of spectrophotometry and enzyme assay. Examples of enzyme assays.
Classification of enzymes. Cofactors of enzymes: metal ions and coenzymes. Analysis of kinetic data. Irreversible and reversible inhibitors. Allosteric enzymes. Characteristics and mechanisms of enzyme catalysis. Example of enzyme catalysis: serine protease. Mechanisms of regulation of enzyme activity.
Carbohydrates
Classification: mono-, oligo- and polysaccharides. Chemical and physical properties. Hints of stereoisomers. Amino sugars. Homo- and heteroplisaccharides. Glycosaminoglycans. Proteoglycans. Glycoproteins.
Lipids and biological membranes.
Saturated and unsaturated fatty acids. Triglycerides, glycerophospholipids, sphingolipids, terpenes (sterols and cholesterol) and other activated isoprene unit derivatives. Membrane transport.
Metabolism
General concepts. Energy conversion. Compounds with "energy-rich" bonds. Coupled reactions. Catabolism and anabolism.
Carbohydrate metabolism.
Generalities on carbohydrate metabolism. Digestion of carbohydrates. Glucose transport. Glycogen synthesis and glycogenolysis. Reactions and enzymes of glycolysis. Regulation of glycolysis: regulatory enzymes and their modulators. Lactic and alcoholic fermentation. Gluconeogenesis. Comparison of glycolysis and gluconeogenesis. Energy requirements of gluconeogenesis. Cori cycle. Hormonal regulation. Pentose phosphate pathway: reactions, enzymes and regulation.
Lipid metabolism.
Digestion and transport of dietary lipids. Plasma lipoproteins. Fatty acid activation. β-oxidation: reactions, enzymes and coenzymes. Energy balance of β-oxidation. Oxidation of fatty acids with odd chain of carbon atoms and unsaturated fatty acids. Ketogenesis and ketone bodies. Synthesis of fatty acids. Hormonal regulation. Biosynthesis of triglycerides. Biosynthesis of membrane lipids: phospholipids, cholesterol (initial steps).
Terminal metabolism.
Shuttle systems. Pyruvate dehydrogenase. Citric acid cycle (Krebs cycle). Reactions, cycle enzymes and regulation. Catabolic and biosynthetic role of the Krebs cycle. Link between Krebs cycle and other metabolic pathways. Electron transport and oxidative phosphorylation. Respiratory chain complexes. Coupling between electron flow and oxidative phosphorylation: mechanism of ATP-synthase. Mitochondrial transport systems.
Metabolism of amino acids.
Digestion and absorption of dietary protein. Intracellular protein turnover. II catabolism of proteins. Catabolism of amino acids: deamination and transamination. The urea cycle: reactions, enzymes, cellular compartmentalization and regulation. Demolition of the carbonaceous skeleton of amino acids (hint): glucogenic and ketogenic Aa. Amino acid derivatives: biogenic amines, glutathione, creatinine, heme. Mono-carbon fragment biochemistry.
Nucleotide metabolism.
Hints at the processes of nucleotide and pyrimidine biosynthesis and regulation. Recovery of purine bases.
Nucleic acids and genetic information.
Nucleosides and nucleotides. DNA and RNA: structure and properties. Genes and chromosomes. DNA replication. Transcription. RNA maturation. Genetic code. Ribosomes: structure and function. Activation of amino acids. Protein biosynthesis.
Sustainable Development Goals 2030
The course is in line with the Agenda 2030 goals for sustainable development.