BMB536: Metabolic Regulation
Entry requirements
Academic preconditions
Students taking the course are expected to:
- Have knowledge of fundamental biochemistry and basic organic chemistry.
- Be able to apply basic biochemistry and organic chemistry to discuss how biochemical processes are integrated and regulated.
Course introduction
The course builds on knowledge acquired in courses in Fundamental Biochemistry like BMB530 or BMB532 which is assumed known, and provide a scientific basis to further study topics in physiology, pathophysiology and experimental work under the BSC and thesis projects that are part of the degree.
In relation to the competence profile of the degree it is the explicit focus of the course to:
- Give competences in discussing and analyzing regulation of metabolism and biochemical processes at the molecular level.
- Give skills to discuss regulation of metabolism in mammals and physiological mechanisms.
- Give knowledge and understanding of how;
- 1) biochemical processes are regulated at the molecular level
- 2) how these are interconnected,
- 3) how metabolic processes are integrated with each other between the various bodies.
Expected learning outcome
The learning objective of the course is that the student demonstrates the ability to:
- describe metabolites, enzymes, co-enzymes in glycogen and fatty acid metabolism and its regulation.
- explain
the formation and function of lipoproteins like chylomicrons, VLDL, HDL
and LDL, and describe their respective roles in triglyceride /
cholesterol homeostasis. - explain how the vesicular transport takes place in eukaryotic cells.
- describe how high levels of cholesterol can lead to the development of cardiovascular diseases.
- explain
the synthesis of phospholipids and triglycerides and how the synthesis
of phospholipids is closely associated with amino acid metabolism. - explain how glucogenic and ketogenic amino acids are converted and how the amino groups may be disposed in the urea cycle.
- explain how amino acids are synthesized from intermediates in glycolysis and TCA cycle.
- describe how synthesis of branched chain amino acids and glutamine synthesis is regulated.
- on the basis of own experiments explain the glucose-fatty acid cycle.
- explain
the effect of the hormones insulin, glucagon, norepinephrine and
epinephrine on the metabolic pathways in the brain, muscles, liver and
adipose tissue. - describe the mechanisms underlying the hormonal effect on blood levels of glucose, fatty acids and ketone bodies.
- explain
the metabolic adaptations that occur as a result of food intake,
fasting and diabetes (type 1 and 2) as well as muscle work. - describe
the structure and function of 7TM receptors, G proteins and signaling
pathways that lead to the formation of secondary "messengers" such as
Ca2+, IP3 and cAMP, and explain how the activity of these signaling
pathways and the level of these messengers can be regulated. - describe
the structure and function of tyrosine kinase receptors, including
insulin receptor, and explain how the PI3 kinase signaling and MAPK
signaling can be activated by insulin.
Content
- Regulation of glycolysis/gluconeogenesis/TCA
- Lipid absorption, transport and lipoproteins
- Membrane trafficking
- Fatty acid degradation
- Fatty acid synthesis
- Complex lipid synthesis
- Amino acid metabolism
- Signal transduction
- Regulation of metabolism incl. glucose-fatty acid cycle
- Integration of metabolism
- Ca2+ signalling
- Metabolic diseases
The glucose-fatty acid cycle as well as the integration of the metabolism will be illustrated in practice via a laboratory exercise. The course also deals with relevant scientific and ethical aspects in relation to the other topics of the subject.
Literature
- David L. Nelson and Michael M. Cox: Lehninger Principles of Biochemistry, 6. Udgave.
- K. Frayn: Metabolic Regulation, a human perspective, 3. Udgave.
- Øvelsesvejledning.
See itslearning for syllabus lists and additional literature references.
Examination regulations
Exam element a)
Timing
Tests
Port folio exam
EKA
Assessment
Grading
Identification
Language
Duration
Examination aids
Written exam on campus (part exam 5):
The exam is without aids., it is also allowed to use language translation dictionaries (e.g. Danish/English, Danish/German, Danish/French and Danish/Spanish etc) in "ordbogsprogrammet" (the dictionary programme) from http://www.ordbogen.com/ in electronic form. The browser version is not allowed. All dictionaries other than language translation dictionaries (e.g. chemical dictionary, clinical dictionary, etc.) must be switched off in “ordbogsprogrammet”(the dictionary programme).
ECTS value
Additional information
Indicative number of lessons
Teaching Method
- Intro phase (lectures, class lessons) - 36 hours
- Training phase: 36 hours, including 26 hours tutorials and 10 hours laboratory
Lectures provide an introduction to and an overview of the most important elements of the course, and prepare the students to continue working with the individual elements of the E-hours, in the form of assignments and responses to the descriptions of objectives. The exercises elaborate on the regulation and integration of the metabolism by examining the glucose-fatty acid cycle in practice.
- Preparation for lectures, tutorials and exercises
- Studying for part exams.
Teacher responsible
Additional teachers
| Name | Department | City | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kim Ravnskjær | ravnskjaer@bmb.sdu.dk | Funktionelle Genomiske Studier og Metabolisme |