Learning outcomes

To understand how an animal (mainly human) eukaryotic cell responds to stimuli from its environment, in terms of proliferation and growth, differentiation and programmed cell death. To understand the intervention of the deregulation of these mechanisms during the development of cancer cells.

Goals

To achieve competence in understanding the mechanisms involved in initiating cell growth, differentiation and death; to know the main regulators involved in controlling these phenomena; to understand the regulatory mechanisms and their deregulation in pathological situations, particularly cancer.

Content

Cell growth and differentiation and their normal and pathological control. Signal transduction pathways from stimulus perception (receptor) to regulation of gene expression that are responsible for the adapted cellular response. Apoptosis and autophagy: mechanisms and regulations.

Table of contents

G PROTEIN-COUPLED RECEPTORS

G protein-coupled receptors and regulation of their activity

Adenylyl cyclase and protein kinase A

Phospholipase C and protein kinase C


ACTIVATABLE TRANSCRIPTION FACTORS

Overview of the basal transcription machinery

CREB


GROWTH FACTOR PATHWAY AND THE CELL CYCLE

Growth factors

Receptors with tyrosine kinase activity

Proteins with SH2 domains

Small G proteins like Ras

MAP kinase pathway

Activation of AP-1


CELL CYCLE

Characteristics of the cell cycle

Cell cycle control systems

Regulation of cell division and growth


CELL DIFFERENTIATION

Specialized tissues

Stem cells

Tissue renewal

Regulation of gene expression


CELLULAR TRANSFORMATION

Cancer cell growth and oncogenes


APOPTOSIS

Apoptosis and necrosis

The caspase cascade

The Bcl2 protein family and mitochondrial permeabilization

Death receptors

DNA damage and activation of p53


AUTOPHAGY: mechanisms and regulations.


Teaching methods

Ex cathedra course based on power-point presentations available on webcampus and on reference books or articles.

Assessment method

Written Exam.

This exam typically includes open-ended questions and multiple-choice questions (MCQs) related to the sections. There is no negative points for the MCQs. The exam is closed-book.

The matters covered by the exam includes everything that will be covered in the course.

Sources, references and any support material

Reference textbooks that can be accessed through the library (BUMP) are:

"Molecular Biology of the Cell" (Alberts et al.)

"The Biology of Cancer" (Weinberg)

"Molecular Cell Biology" (Lodish et al.)

Language of instruction

French