Enrollment year
2016/2017
Academic discipline
BIO/10 (BIOCHEMISTRY)
Department
DEPARTMENT OF DRUGS SCIENCES
Course
MEDICINAL CHEMISTRY AND PHARMACEUTICAL TECHNOLOGY
Curriculum
PERCORSO COMUNE
Period
2nd semester (01/03/2018 - 19/06/2018)
Lesson hours
96 lesson hours
Learning outcomes
Define the relation between protein structure and function; present the chemical, physical and biological enviroment in
which proteins act and where the different metabolic pathways take place. Acquisition of general knowledge regarding
structure and function of nucleic acids and gene expression.
Course contents
Structural organization of proteins. Protein denaturation and folding. Examples of fibrous and globular proteins:
collagen, alpha cheratin, myoglobin and haemoglobin. Enzymes: classification and properties. Water–soluble vitamins
and corresponding co-enzymes. Regulation of enzymatic activity. Blood coagulation. Structure and functions of
biological membranes, role of membrane proteins. Hormones and main processes of signal transduction.
Glucidic metabolism: digestion and absorption of carbohydrates, glycoysis, pentose phosphate pathway,
gluconeogenesis, glycogen synthesis and breakdown. Citric acid cycle. Oxidative phosphorilation.
Lipid metabolism: digestion and absorption of lipids, degradation and synthesis of fatty acids, ketone bodies, cholesterol
and lipoproteins. Fat-soluble vitamins. Vitamin A in the process of vision.
Metabolism of biological nitrogen compounds: digestion of proteins and absorption of amino acids, general reactions of
amino acids, urea cycle, activated methyl cycle and metabolic reactions of tyrosine and phenylalanine, biosynthesis of
catecholamines and thyroid hormones. Biosynthesis and degradation of nucleotides. Mechanisms for the degradation of
proteins focusing on the ubiquitin system.
DNA and RNA structure. DNA super coiling and role of topoisomerase. Structure of chromosomes. DNA replication and
repair. Functional and structural characteristics of telomerase. Synthesis and maturation of RNA. Genetic code. Protein
synthesis and post-translational modifications. Protein intracellular trafficking. Regulation of gene expression in bacteria:
lac-operon and trp-operon. Regulation of gene expression in eukaryotes.
Reccomended or required readings
J. Berg, J. Tymoczko, L. Stryer “Biochemistry”, 7th Edition
D. Nelson, M. Cox “Lehninger Principles of Biochemistry”, 6th Edition
M. Campbell, S. Farrel “Biochemistry”, 8th Edition
T.M. Devlin “Textbook of Biochemistry with Clinical Correlations”, 6th Edition
Assessment methods
Two tests during the course.
Conditions for the accreditation of the module
Positive results in the in itinere tests or in the final exam which is composed of a written and oral examination.
Further information
Two tests during the course.
Conditions for the accreditation of the module
Positive results in the in itinere tests or in the final exam which is composed of a written and oral examination.
Sustainable development goals - Agenda 2030
Università di Pavia - Offerta formativa