Module Specification
The information contained in this module specification was correct at the time of publication but may be subject to change, either during the session because of unforeseen circumstances, or following review of the module at the end of the session. Queries about the module should be directed to the member of staff with responsibility for the module.
Title Cell Signalling in Health and Disease
Code LIFE202
Coordinator Dr MJ Fisher
Biochemistry
Fishermj@liverpool.ac.uk
Year CATS Level Semester CATS Value
Session 2016-17 Level 5 FHEQ Second Semester 15

Pre-requisites before taking this module (other modules and/or general educational/academic requirements):
LIFE101 None 

Modules for which this module is a pre-requisite:
 

Co-requisite modules:
 

Linked Modules:
 

Teaching Schedule
  Lectures Seminars Tutorials Lab Practicals Fieldwork Placement Other TOTAL
Study Hours 24

         3

 27
Timetable (if known) This refers to timetabled lectures
  		        This refers to scheduled times for summative assessments
  		 
Private Study 123
TOTAL HOURS 150

Assessment
EXAM Duration Timing
(Semester)		 % of
final
mark		 Resit/resubmission
opportunity		 Penalty for late
submission		 Notes
Written Exam  2 hours  Semester 2  80  Yes    Assessment 1 
CONTINUOUS Duration Timing
(Semester)		 % of
final
mark		 Resit/resubmission
opportunity		 Penalty for late
submission		 Notes
Coursework  1000 words  Semester 2  20  Yes  Standard UoL penalty applies  Assessment 2 Notes (applying to all assessments) Assessment 202 will be short answer questions and extended written exercises. Assessment 202.1 will be extended written exercises. 

Aims

  • This module aims to:

     
    Provide students with knowledge and understanding of the molecular mechanisms that allow cells to communicate with each other;

  • Explain the general principles of these signalling mechanisms and then describe some of these in more detail;

  • Illustrate how defects in these signalling processes can result in a variety of diseases;
  • Outline the techniques that are used to investigate and define these pathways and to describe how these techniques are used in drug discovery programmes of research;

  • D evelop in students the ability to apply, evaluate and interpret this knowledge and understanding, to solve problems in molecular cell biology

    		•

    Learning Outcomes

    On successful completion of this module, the students should be able to:

     
    Describe the fundamental features of a range of common cell signalling mechanisms;

    Explain how cell signalling processes may be defective, or modified, in a variety of different diseases;

    Demonstrate knowledge of the molecular and biochemical nature and role of the different components of intracellular signalling pathways;

    Demonstrate knowledge and critical understanding of the principles of cell signalling, and how this knowledge has been applied to solve problems in biological science.

    Teaching and Learning Strategies

    Lecture -

    This refers to timetabled lectures

    Assessment -

    This refers to scheduled times for summative assessments

    Syllabus
    1 

    Block 1:  Cell Communications  - the Basics

    Classes of signalling molecule – from pheromones to neurotransmitters
    The plasma membrane – cell surface receptors and intracellular receptors, the need for intracellular messengers
    Cell signalling as information processing – specificity, targeting, transmission, amplif ication, cross-talk or lack of – when it goes wrong – diseases.
     
    Diseases of signal transduction: Case Study 1: Depression/schizophrenia. Neurotransmitters/receptors, agonists/antagonists
     
    Review and reflect on the basics of cellular communications
     
    Block 2: Intracellular Signalling – the Fundamentals
    The cyclic nucleotides –cAMP the classical second messenger, G-proteins, adenylyl cyclase, PDEs, PK-A, CREB and gene expression. G-protein coupled receptors as ‘prime’ drug targets.
    A different cyclic nucleotide – cGMP, guanylyl cyclases – different classes, nitric oxide a gaseous secondary messenger, visual transduction.
     
    Diseases of signal transduction: Case Study 2: Hypertension.
    The control of blood pressure – renin, angiotensin, aldosterone, ACE, ACE inhibitors angiotensin receptor agonists, sodium channels/exchangers, vasodilators, nitric oxide.
     
    An introduction to phosphoinositides, - PLC, IP3 and DAG as secondary messengers, calcium and calmodulin. Receptor tyrosine kinases, phosphotyrosine  and SH2’s, adaptor proteins, ras a – different kind of G-protein, MAP kinases, cascades and transcription factor activation.
    Review and reflection on the major intracellular signalling pathways.
     
    Block 3 Intracellular Signalling – the Bigger Picture
    The cell cycle – phases, cyclins and cdks, phosphorylation and degradation and passage through the cell cycle, ubiquitin-mediated degradation, check points in the cell cycle.
     
    Diseases of signal transduction: Case Study 3: Cancer.
    Types of human cancer/tumour, causes and development, properties of cancer cells, cell transformation. Oncogenes, ras, c-myc, tumour suppressor genes Rb and p53. Colon cancer as an example – survival rates.
     
    Receptor-associated tyrosine kinases, JAK/STAT signalling, erythropoietin, kidney disease, ‘blood doping’ and athletes.
     
    Diseases of signal transduction:  Case Study 4: Obesity.
    Leptin, satiety signals and appetite, leptin resistance, neuropeptide Y, leptin receptors and the hypothalamus, JAK/STAT again, leptin and adiponectin - AMP kinase in muscle.
     
    Steroid hormone action, oestrogen as an example, nuclear receptors and gene expression, co-activator proteins, anabolic steroids, SARMs, tamoxifen, aromatase inhibitors and breast cancer.
     
    Review and reflection on the Bigger Picture.
     
    Block 4 Integration of intra- and extracellular aspects of signalling
    Cholesterol – as a lipid and precursor of hormones and vitamins. Synthesis of cholesterol, statin drugs, plant steroids/stanols, vitamin D and rickets.
    Lipoproteins – ‘good and bad’ cholesterol, defects in lipoprotein metabolism.
     
    Diseases of signal transduction: Case Study 5:  Atherosclerosis and coronary heart disease 
    Hypercholesterolaemia and inflammation as initiators of atherosclerosis, assessment of cardiovascular risk.
     
    Inflammation and its mediators – sites of infection, leucocytes, histamine, cytokines, chemokines, TNF-a, adhesion molecules.
     
    Diseases of signal transduction: Case Study 6: Asthma< /div>
    Adhesion molecules and the extracellular matrix, integrins, cadherins, selectins, role in cell survival, role as tumour suppressors.
     
    Sphingolipids  - signalling and disease, neurodegradation, sphingosine-1-phosphate, sphingomyelin, multiple sclerosis.
     
    Diseases of protein aggregation: Case study 1: Alzheimer’s
    Senile plaques, b-amyloid, presenilin gene mutations, tau – phosphorylation, ubiquitination, glycosylation- role of apolipoprotein E4.
     
    Diseases of protein aggregation: Case Study 2: Prions.
    TSEs - CJD, vCJD, PrP, ‘normal’role – stress tolerance, Zn homeostasis and signal transduction.
     
    Review and reflection on the integration of signalling.

    Recommended Texts
    Reading lists are managed at readinglists.liverpool.ac.uk. Click here to access the reading lists for this module.
    Explanation of Reading List: