521-304 Molecular Basis of Hormone Action and Neuro-Transmission

Credit Points:

When taken from Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Science:

10.0

When taken from Agriculture, Faculty of Agriculture, Forestry and Horticulture:

8

Coordinator:

Prerequisite/s:

Timetable:

Contact:

Objectives:

By the end of the program the student should have acquired:

• a detailed understanding of the current concepts of the molecular basis for endocrinology and neuroendocrinology;

• an appreciation of the similarities in the mechanism of action of hormones, polypeptide growth factors and neuro-transmitters, particularly in relation to signal transduction processes;

• a theoretical background to the major biochemical techniques used to investigate the molecular basis for hormone and neurotransmitter action;

• an overview of the fundamental areas of metabolism subject to hormonal and neurotransmitter action.

Content:

The controls exerted by cellular regulatory processes: metabolic targets for regulation, rate limiting steps in metabolism. The endocrine system and target tissues for individual hormones. Biosynthesis, storage and secretion of hormones and neurotransmitters. Receptors for hormones, growth factors and neurotransmitters. Mechanisms in signal transduction with particular emphasis on second messenger and protein phosphorylation-dependent pathways. Hormonal regulation of gene expression. Metabolic consequences of regulation by hormones and neurotransmitters in specialised tissues. Polypeptide growth factors: structure, function, tissue distinction and mechanism of action. Nerve growth and differentiation factors. Molecular recognition events of importance during the development of the nervous system. Tissue specialisation within the nervous system and the different roles of neuropeptides and other neurotransmitters. The neurochemistry of myelin and multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's, Huntington's and Alzheimer's diseases.

Assessment:

Prescribed Texts:

• D G Hardie, Biochemical Messengers, Chapman and Hall, 1991.