Membrane Biophysics and Signal Transduction
A.Y. 2024/2025
Learning objectives
The aim of the course is to provide a deep knowledge of the structural/functional properties of cellular membranes and the signaling processes through which the information reaches intracellular targets. We will discuss about:
- functional effects of lipid-lipid and lipid-proteins interactions;
- the passive and active properties of the plasma membrane and in particular with the molecular mechanism governing cell excitability and propagation of the electrical signals;
- the functional importance of specialized membrane organizations;
- the basic concepts of cellular signal transduction;
- the functioning and modulation of kinases, phosphatases, G-protein coupled receptors, intracellular receptors;
- the mechanistic complexities underlying the conversion of diverse stimuli into a series of intracellular reactions through signal transduction pathways;
- the molecular mechanisms through which the signal transduction pathways communicate information to gene expression programs;
- recent advances on the potential impact of signaling pathways in human diseases.
- functional effects of lipid-lipid and lipid-proteins interactions;
- the passive and active properties of the plasma membrane and in particular with the molecular mechanism governing cell excitability and propagation of the electrical signals;
- the functional importance of specialized membrane organizations;
- the basic concepts of cellular signal transduction;
- the functioning and modulation of kinases, phosphatases, G-protein coupled receptors, intracellular receptors;
- the mechanistic complexities underlying the conversion of diverse stimuli into a series of intracellular reactions through signal transduction pathways;
- the molecular mechanisms through which the signal transduction pathways communicate information to gene expression programs;
- recent advances on the potential impact of signaling pathways in human diseases.
Expected learning outcomes
Students are expected to be able to master the processes by which the biological signals (electrical and biochemical signals) are generated and pass through the plasma membrane and reach the intracellular targets.
Students are expected to be able to understand how lipids, receptors, ion channels and signaling molecules interplay in generating cell responses to stimuli.
Students are expected to be able to understand how lipids, receptors, ion channels and signaling molecules interplay in generating cell responses to stimuli.
Lesson period: Second semester
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Single course
This course cannot be attended as a single course. Please check our list of single courses to find the ones available for enrolment.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Responsible
Lesson period
Second semester
Course syllabus
MEMBRANE BIOPHYSICS:
Basic principles of biomembranes composition. Lipids and proteins interactions. Lipids as signaling molecules
Membrane microdomains, lipid rafts and caveolae. Caveolin-1 , 2 and 3. Role of caveolae and caveolin-interacting proteins.
Passive electrical properties of excitable membranes; Equivalent electrical RC model of cellular membranes. The concept and consequences of time and space constants in neuronal excitability. Electrotonic conduction of the electrical signal along a membrane.
The action potentials of excitable cells: the Hodgkin and Huxley model of the neuronal action potential and the description of the cardiac action potentials.
Ion channels function and structure.
Specific examples of the effect of lipid microdomains on the kinetic properties of ion channels and consequences for membrane excitability.
Examples of specific biomembrane organizations: 1- the couplons in skeletal muscle and cardiomyocytes and how they affect Excitation contraction coupling properties. 2- The neuromuscular juncton as a paradigm of mutual functional interaction of biomembranes of different cells.
SIGNAL TRANSDUCTION:
Basic concepts of cellular signal transduction. Signal inputs and outputs.
Classes of signaling components: small G proteins, kinases, phosphatases, adaptor proteins, and cytoskeletal elements.
Organization of signaling pathways into networks. Classes of interconnections: junctions and nodes. Examples of junctions and nodes.
Dynamics of signaling complexes in different cell types. T cells versus neurons: an example of an identical signaling network with a different logic of the circuitry.
Mechanisms of signal consolidation.
The receptor tyrosine kinases as one of the best upstream examples of a node.
TOR: a molecule with dual identity. Regulation of mTORC1 activity by nutrients and/or alterations in cellular energetics. mTORC1 signaling to the translational apparatus. Recent advances in pharmacological tools and technologies (polysome and ribosome profiling) enabling genome-wide monitoring of changes in translatome. Examples of human disorders and diseases linked to defective translational control.
The unfolded protein response (UPR) signaling node. UPR signal transducers and downstream effectors. mTOR-ER stress intersections. Pathogenic features of prolonged ER stress.
Basic principles of biomembranes composition. Lipids and proteins interactions. Lipids as signaling molecules
Membrane microdomains, lipid rafts and caveolae. Caveolin-1 , 2 and 3. Role of caveolae and caveolin-interacting proteins.
Passive electrical properties of excitable membranes; Equivalent electrical RC model of cellular membranes. The concept and consequences of time and space constants in neuronal excitability. Electrotonic conduction of the electrical signal along a membrane.
The action potentials of excitable cells: the Hodgkin and Huxley model of the neuronal action potential and the description of the cardiac action potentials.
Ion channels function and structure.
Specific examples of the effect of lipid microdomains on the kinetic properties of ion channels and consequences for membrane excitability.
Examples of specific biomembrane organizations: 1- the couplons in skeletal muscle and cardiomyocytes and how they affect Excitation contraction coupling properties. 2- The neuromuscular juncton as a paradigm of mutual functional interaction of biomembranes of different cells.
SIGNAL TRANSDUCTION:
Basic concepts of cellular signal transduction. Signal inputs and outputs.
Classes of signaling components: small G proteins, kinases, phosphatases, adaptor proteins, and cytoskeletal elements.
Organization of signaling pathways into networks. Classes of interconnections: junctions and nodes. Examples of junctions and nodes.
Dynamics of signaling complexes in different cell types. T cells versus neurons: an example of an identical signaling network with a different logic of the circuitry.
Mechanisms of signal consolidation.
The receptor tyrosine kinases as one of the best upstream examples of a node.
TOR: a molecule with dual identity. Regulation of mTORC1 activity by nutrients and/or alterations in cellular energetics. mTORC1 signaling to the translational apparatus. Recent advances in pharmacological tools and technologies (polysome and ribosome profiling) enabling genome-wide monitoring of changes in translatome. Examples of human disorders and diseases linked to defective translational control.
The unfolded protein response (UPR) signaling node. UPR signal transducers and downstream effectors. mTOR-ER stress intersections. Pathogenic features of prolonged ER stress.
Prerequisites for admission
In-depth knowledge of Physics, General Physiology and Biochemistry.
Teaching methods
The teaching course will consist of classroom lessons and seminars deepening the topics covered in the Course. The lessons will be comprised of PowerPoint slides provided by the teacher and supplemented, when needed, by chalkboard explanations. The students will also be provided with copies of recent articles published on international journals inherent to the covered topics. These articles will also be available in pdf format on the teacher web site.
Attendance at the teaching course is highly recommended.
Attendance at the teaching course is highly recommended.
Teaching Resources
PDF of the slides from each lecture and scientific articles discusses during lectures will be available as pdf files in the Ariel website of the course.
Textbooks:
Kandel Principle of Neural Science (Chapter 6 and 7 of 3rd edition)
Hille, Ionic Channels of Excitable Membranes
Signal Transduction: Principles, Pathways, and Processes (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory press)
Textbooks:
Kandel Principle of Neural Science (Chapter 6 and 7 of 3rd edition)
Hille, Ionic Channels of Excitable Membranes
Signal Transduction: Principles, Pathways, and Processes (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory press)
Assessment methods and Criteria
The oral exam focuses on the two modules of the Course: 1) Membrane biophysics (3 CFU) and 2) Signal transduction mechanisms (3 CFU). The final grade will be the average of the scores obtained in each module.
FIS/07 - APPLIED PHYSICS - University credits: 6
Lessons: 48 hours
Professors:
Brandalise Federico, Ricciardi Sara
Professor(s)
Reception:
Appointment by e-mail
Milano - Via Celoria 26 _ B Tower, 6th Floor