This course provides a thorough understanding of the mechanisms governing metabolic pathways and their regulation, focusing on both fine and coarse control mechanisms, and the integration of metabolism across different tissues and physiological states. Key topics include:

Metabolic Control:

• Design of Metabolic Pathways: Principles underlying the design and organization of metabolic pathways.
• Regulatory Enzymes:
  • Fine Control: Mechanisms of enzyme regulation, including allosteric regulation, substrate/product feedback, feed-forward controls, and covalent modification.
  • Coarse Control: Regulation of enzyme synthesis through induction and repression.

Regulation of Fuel Metabolism:

• Pathways: Detailed study of the regulation of key metabolic pathways, including glycolysis, gluconeogenesis, glyceroneogenesis, glycogenolysis, glycogenesis, the Krebs cycle, lipogenesis, lipolysis, β-oxidation, ketogenesis, and amino acid metabolism.
• Role of Hormones: Examination of how hormones such as insulin, glucagon, and epinephrine regulate metabolism.
• DNA Binding Proteins: Understanding the roles of cyclic AMP response element-binding protein (CREB), carbohydrate response element-binding protein (ChREBP), and sterol regulatory element-binding protein (SREBP) in metabolic regulation.

Integration of Metabolism:

• Glucose Homeostasis and Transport: Mechanisms maintaining glucose homeostasis and the role of glucose transporters.
• Interrelationships Between Metabolic Pathways: Exploration of the interconnections between carbohydrate, lipid, and protein metabolism.
• Enzyme Profiles: Study of tissue- and organ-specific enzyme profiles.
• Interorgan Relationships: Examination of metabolic interactions among liver, brain, muscle, and adipose tissue under various physiological states such as fed, fasted, athletic activity, and pregnancy.