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Module

BGM2061 : Protein Trafficking and Biological Membranes

  • Offered for Year: 2020/21
  • Module Leader(s): Dr Jeremy Brown
  • Lecturer: Professor Tracy Palmer, Professor Jeremy Lakey, Professor Christopher Dennison, Professor Bert van den Berg
  • Owning School: Biomedical, Nutritional and Sports Scien
  • Teaching Location: Newcastle City Campus
Semesters
Semester 2 Credit Value: 20
ECTS Credits: 10.0

Aims

1.To introduce the concept of compartmentalisation within eukaryotic cells.
2.To explore in detail protein targeting to and transport across membranes, trafficking between organelles and to explore recurrent themes in these processes.
3.To provide examples of post-translational modifications that occur within the secretory pathway and how these affect trafficking and localisation of proteins.
4.To reveal the dynamic nature of membrane lipid and protein biochemistry and how it relates to cellular processes.
5.To examine the synthesis and topogenesis of membrane proteins.
6.To provide an understanding of key aspects of membrane structure and the physical contraints of the membrane environment.

Outline Of Syllabus

Biological membranes are critical for maintaining cellular function, but at the same time they impede the movement of molecules and proteins within the cell. The module will consider:
·the concepts of compartmentalisation within eukaryotic cells
·biological membranes including different types of membrane, e.g. viral, bacterial, archeal, sub-cellular and cellular
·micelles, bilayered liposomes and detergents
·recognition of membrane proteins and proteins that are transported into cellular organelles or secreted from the cell, from their polypeptide sequences
·how membrane and secreted proteins are synthesized, sorted and transported to the correct destinations
·the function of specific membrane and membrane-associated protein complexes.
Within the module emphasis will be placed on some of the common and recurrent themes by which proteins are delivered to their correct cellular location, the roles of molecular chaperones in protein trafficking and folding, sorting and recycling of proteins, quality control mechanisms that operate within the secretory pathway and post-translational modification of proteins.

Teaching Methods

Module leaders are revising this content in light of the Covid 19 restrictions.
Revised and approved detail information will be available by 17 August.

Assessment Methods

Module leaders are revising this content in light of the Covid 19 restrictions.
Revised and approved detail information will be available by 17 August.

Reading Lists

Timetable