Cellular mechanisms of signal transduction by multiple pathways,
with specific emphasis on sites for therapeutic intervention and
manipulation. Function, regulation, and structure of the
components of the pathway including current or potential
strategies to pharmacologically manipulate components of the
pathway.
Athena Title
SIGNAL TRANSDUCTION
Prerequisite
Permission of department
Semester Course Offered
Offered fall
Grading System
A - F (Traditional)
Student learning Outcomes
In this course, students will learn the cellular mechanisms of signal transduction by multiple pathways, with specific emphasis on sites for therapeutic intervention and manipulation. For each signaling pathway, the current knowledge of the function, regulation, and structure of the components of the pathway will be discussed, and the relevance of the pathway to physiology and pathology will be explored. Drugs that impinge on these signaling pathways that are currently in clinical use will be presented, as well as potential therapeutic targets that are the focus of current research and drug development. In each of the lecture sections outlined below, two relevant papers from the primary scientific literature will be presented and discussed by the students.
Course Objectives
For major signaling pathways and drug target classes discussed in this course, it is expected that student will gain mastery of the following objectives by the end of the semester and be able to do the following:
Develop a mechanistic understanding of cellular signaling pathways underlying normal physiology and disease states, enabling identification of critical nodes that serve as potential therapeutic targets.
Critically evaluate current and emerging drug targets within signal transduction networks, including kinases, receptors, transcription factors, and protein–protein interactions, with emphasis on their translational relevance.
Analyze gaps in knowledge across signaling pathways in complex diseases (e.g., cancer, metabolic disorders, neurodegeneration) and propose innovative strategies for therapeutic intervention.
Topical Outline
Section I: Principles of Cell Signaling and Drug Targeting, and GPCR signaling
Introduction to signal transduction mechanisms
GPCRs, heterotrimeric G proteins, cAMP Signaling
New Frontiers in GPCR Signaling
Section II: Kinases - Receptor/Non-receptor and Serine-Theronine/Tyrosine Kinases
Protein Kinases ‘A and G’, CAMK
Phospholipase C, DAG, IP3, Ca2+ and Protein Kinase-C
Cell Stress-related kinases (MAPK, SAPK, JUNK)
PI 3-kinase, Protein Kinase-B, and eNOS signaling
Mammalian Target of Rapamycin and AMP-Kinase pathways
Section III: Impact of cell signaling homeostasis, pathologies, and mesenchymal transition
Cell polarity and cell junctions
Vascular permeability, normalization, and cancer metastasis
Cellular integrins: Affinity and avidity modulation
Section IV: The role of cytoskeleton in cellular signaling and pathophysiology
Cytoskeletal remodeling in cell adhesion and motility
TGFβ and BMP signaling in physiology and pathology
Cellular differentiation: Mesenchymal cells and myofibroblasts in health and disease
Section V: Cell signaling in inflammation
Mechanisms of T-cell differentiation in inflammation
Pathways regulating Cell cycle and Proliferation
Polyamine metabolism and signaling
