Regulation of Metabolism

Objectives

The subject Regulation of Metabolism addresses the regulation and intercommunication between the different metabolic pathways of carbohydrates, lipids and proteins. The different types of regulations are studied and emphasis is placed on signal transduction through hormones and the different regulation depending on the tissue. Finally, all this knowledge is integrated into different physiological and pathological situations.

The main objectives of the subject are:

1. Understand the role of signal transduction in mediating hormonal action and in the integration of physiological processes.
2. Understand the control mechanisms of enzymes involved in the regulation of the most important metabolic pathways.
3. Understand the differences in control mechanisms depending on the tissue location of the pathways.
4. Understand the regulation of the flow of metabolites within and between organs in health and disease.
5. Integrate the control of different metabolic pathways into the general homeostasis of the organism (with special emphasis on the case of humans).
6. Understand the causes of the main metabolic diseases.

Learning outcomes

• LO1. Understands the molecular mechanisms of regulation and control of metabolism, as well as the molecular bases of intercellular communication and intracellular signaling.
• LO2. Prepares reports and written documents (mainly of a technical nature) with spelling and grammar correction in Catalan, Spanish and English.
• LO3. Evaluates globally the learning processes carried out in accordance with the plans and objectives set and establishes individual improvement measures.
• LO4. Acquires and demonstrates advanced knowledge of the theoretical and practical aspects of work methodology in the field of biomedicine.

Competencies

General skills

• Formulate hypotheses following the scientific method, with an ability to summarize and analyze information in a critical way in order to be able to solve problems.

Specific skills

• Describe the relationship between the biology of the nucleus and the metabolism of the main cell types.
• Have a systemic vision of the organism, in particular metabolic regulation and control and cell signaling, in order to respond to biomedical challenges.

Basic skills

• Students have demonstrated knowledge and understanding in a field of study that builds on general secondary education with the support of advanced textbooks and knowledge of the latest advances in this field of study.

Core skills

• Communicate orally, in writing and audiovisually, in one's own language and in foreign languages, with proficiency in form, content and use.
• Reflect critically on knowledge of all kinds, with a commitment to professional rigor and quality.

Content

Block 1. Introduction. Hormones and intermediary metabolism

1. Introduction to the regulation of metabolic pathways: energy balance, regulation of enzymatic activities and membrane transporters
2. Structure and function of organs and tissues
3. Function of hormones (insulin, glucagon, catecholamines...)
4. Regulation of central pathways of intermediary metabolism: Krebs cycle

Block 2. Carbohydrate metabolism

1. Regulation of intestinal absorption of monosaccharides and glucose transport across cell membranes
2. Glucose utilization pathways
3. Regulation of gluconeogenesis
4. Regulation of glycogen metabolism

Block 3. Lipid metabolism

1. Digestion, intestinal absorption and lipid transport
2. Lipoprotein metabolism
3. Regulation of lipogenesis and synthesis of triacylglycerols
4. Regulation of lipolysis and fatty acid oxidation

Block 4. Protein metabolism

1. Protein intake. Transport of peptides and amino acids
2. Protein turnover and amino acid catabolism

Evaluation

The evaluation of the subject is based on continuous monitoring of students' academic work throughout the course.

The final grade for the subject (NF) is the weighted average of the grades for the following assessable activities:

• Assessable activity 1. Questionnaires: 30% of the NF; non-recoverable activity
• Assessable activity 2. Partial test 1: 25% of the NF; retrievable activity; minimum grade to make an average: 4
• Assessable activity 3. Partial test 2: 25% of the NF; retrievable activity; minimum grade to make an average: 4
• Assessable activity 4. Assessable exercises: 20% of the NF; non-recoverable activity

The total weight of the assessment activities represents 100% of the final grade for the subject. To average all the assessable activities, the average of assessable activities 2 and 3 must be equal to or greater than 5.

Important

Plagiarism or copying someone else's work is penalized in all universities and, according to the UVic-UCC coexistence rules, constitute serious or very serious faults. Therefore, during the course of this subject, plagiarism or the improper appropriation of texts or ideas from other people (see What is considered plagiarism?) and the improper or undeclared use of artificial intelligence in an activity automatically result in a suspension or other disciplinary measures.

To cite texts and materials appropriately, you must consult the academic citation guidelines and guidelines available on the UVic Library website.

Methodology

• In this subject, theoretical sessions, workshops or assignments are held at the end of each block to integrate the knowledge acquired.
• Regarding personal work, students must follow the theoretical aspects of the subject and actively participate in discussions, assignments and workshops in the classroom.
• Cases and tasks are also presented that students must work on autonomously and independently or in small groups.
• Attendance at seminar sessions, assignments and workshops and at case and article presentation sessions is highly recommended, as they are interactive classes with assessable activities and participation.

Bibliography

Key references

• Bender, D. A. (2014). Introduction to nutrition and metabolism (5 ed.). CRC Press, Taylor & Francis Group.
• Blanco Gaitán, María Dolores (2017). Fundamentos de bioquímica metabólica (4 ed.). Retrieved from https://elibro.net/es/lc/bibliouvic/titulos/51989
• Frayn, K. N. (2010). Metabolic regulation: A human perspective (3 ed.). Wiley-Blackwell.
• Newsholme, E. A., Leech, T. R. (2010). Functional biochemistry in health and disease. Wiley.
• Storey, K. B. (2004). Functional metabolism: Regulation and adaptation. Wiley.

Further reading

Teachers will provide complementary bibliography and compulsory reading throughout the course via the Virtual Campus.