Intestinal Cell News Volume 5.24 | Jul 5 2019

TOP STORY

AWD Regulates Timed Activation of BMP Signaling in Intestinal Stem Cells to Maintain Tissue Homeostasis

After intestinal stem cell activation, Thickveins (Tkv) was stabilized by proteasome inhibition and undergoes endocytosis due to the induction of the nucleoside diphosphate kinase Abnormal Wing Disc (AWD). Tkv internalization was required for the activation of the Smad protein Mad, and for the return to quiescence after a regenerative episode. [Nat Commun] Full Article

(Ranked by impact factor of the journal)

Cell Type-Dependent Differential Activation of ERK by Oncogenic KRAS in Colon Cancer and Intestinal Epithelium

Investigators graded ERK phosphorylation correlating with cell differentiation in patient-derived colorectal cancer organoids with and without KRAS mutations. Using reporters, single cell transcriptomics and mass cytometry, they observed cell type-specific phosphorylation of ERK in response to transgenic KRAS^G12V in mouse intestinal organoids, while transgenic BRAF^V600E activates ERK in all cells. [Nat Commun] Full Article

RUNX3 Suppresses Metastasis and Stemness by Inhibiting Hedgehog Signaling in Colorectal Cancer

Scientists found that the tumor suppressor RUNX3 modulated tumorigenesis in response to cancer cells induced by inhibiting oncogene GLI1 ubiquitination. Moreover, they demonstrated that RUNX3 and GLI1 expression were inversely correlated in colorectal cancer cells and tissues. [Cell Death Differ] Abstract

Ratiometric Detection of γ-glutamyltransferase in Human Colon Cancer Tissues Using a Two-Photon Probe

Researchers report a ratiometric two-photon probe for γ-Glutamyltransferase (GGT) that could be applied in human colon tissues. The probe showed high fluorescence efficiency, marked fluorescence changes, excellent kinetics, and selectivity for the GGT in live colon cells. [Anal Chem] Abstract

Lactobacillus frumenti Improves Antioxidant Capacity via Nitric Oxide Synthase 1 in Intestinal Epithelial Cells

The authors report that L. frumenti increased the total antioxidation capacity activities and decreased the total reactive oxygen species levels in porcine intestinal epithelial cells. [FASEB J] Abstract

miR-675 Is Frequently Overexpressed in Gastric Cancer and Enhances Cell Proliferation and Invasion via Targeting a Potent Anti-Tumor Gene PITX1

The biological function of miR-675 in gastric cancer cells was evaluated via altering its expression using miR-675 agomiR or antamiR. Dual-luciferase reporter assay was applied for verifying whether miR-675 could direct bind to 3′UTR of PITX1. [Cell Signal] Abstract

ZNF518B Gene Up-Regulation Promoted Dissemination of Tumor Cells and Is Governed by Epigenetic Mechanisms in Colorectal Cancer

The effects of silencing ZNF518B on the phenotype of colorectal cancer (CRC) cell lines were studied. The gene did not affect cell proliferation, but played a significant role in cell migration and invasiveness and induced changes in the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition markers, suggesting that ZNF518B favored tumor cell dissemination. [Sci Rep] Full Article

Astaxanthin Suppresses the Metastasis of Colon Cancer by Inhibiting the MYC-Mediated Downregulation of MicroRNA-29a-3p and MicroRNA-200a

Scientists selected Astaxanthin (AXT), one of the most common carotenoids, as a novel metastasis inhibitor through high-throughput drug screening based on invadopodia staining, and confirmed the anti-migratory and anti-invasive activity of AXT. They demonstrated that AXT increased miR-29a-3p and miR-200a expression, and thereby suppressed the expression of MMP2 and ZEB1, respectively. [Sci Rep] Full Article

Regulatory Effects of LncRNA ATB Targeting miR-200c on Proliferation and Apoptosis of Colorectal Cancer Cells

Four colon cancer cell lines and the human colon mucosal epithelial cell line were purchased. Moreover, si-ATB, si-NC, miR-200c mimic, miR-200c inhibitor, and miR-NC were prepared for transfection into the colorectal cancer (CRC) cells, and their effects on CRC cell lines were evaluated based on the conduction of 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay, colony formation assay, and flow cytometry assay. [J Cell Biochem] Abstract

A Direct Comparison of Mouse and Human Intestinal Development Using Epithelial Gene Expression Patterns

Preterm human small intestine samples representing 17-23 weeks of completed gestation were obtained from the University of Pittsburgh Health Sciences Tissue Bank, and at term gestation during reanastamoses after resection for necrotizing enterocolitis. Quantification of intestinal epithelial cell types and messenger RNA for marker genes were evaluated in both human and mice. [Pediatr Res] Abstract

Targeting mTOR Suppressed Colon Cancer Growth through 4EBP1/eIF4E/PUMA Pathway

Investigators demonstrated that the anti-cancer effect of AZD8055 and OSI-027 was at least in part modulated by the gradual process of apoptosis initiation, progressing from mTOR suppression, 4EBP1 dephosphorylation, or EZH2 suppression, thereby leading to PUMA-dependent apoptosis via the intrinsic mitochondrial pathway. [Cancer Gene Ther] Abstract

Cytotoxic Activity of the Seaweed Compound Fucosterol, Alone and in Combination with 5-Fluorouracil, in Colon Cells Using 2D and 3D Culturing

Scientists examine the anticancer activity of fucosterol alone and in combination with 5-fluorouracil (5-Fu) on two human colorectal cancer cell lines and compared with cytotoxicity in one normal colon fibroblast cell line in monolayer. The effect of fucosterol alone or in combination with 5-Fu was further assessed using HT29 multicellular spheroids. [J Toxicol Environ Health A] Abstract

Subscribe to one of our other 19 science newsletters such as Pulmonary Cell News & ESC & iPSC News.

Canonical and Non-Canonical Inflammasomes in Intestinal Epithelial Cells

Scientists present an overview of the current understanding of inflammasome function in epithelial cells and at mucosal surfaces, and in particular in the intestine. [Cell Microbiol] Abstract | Full Article

The Role of Adipose Tissue in the Pathogenesis and Therapeutic Outcomes of Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Investigators summarize and discuss the existing literature on the subject and identify high-priority areas for future research. It may be that a better understanding of the role of mesenteric fat in IBD will determine new therapeutic targets and translate into improved clinical outcomes. [Cells] Full Article | Graphical Abstract

Visit our reviews page to see a complete list of reviews in the intestinal cell research field.

FSD Pharma Closes Deal to Acquire Prismic Pharmaceuticals

FSD Pharma Inc. and Prismic Pharmaceuticals Inc. announced that on June 28, 2019 they finalized the acquisition by FSD Pharma of all of the issued and outstanding securities of Prismic. [FSD Pharma Inc.] Press Release

Calithera Biosciences Initiates Phase I/II Trial of Telaglenastat in Combination with Pfizer’s CDK4/6 Inhibitor Palbociclib

Calithera Biosciences, Inc. announced treatment of the first patient in a Phase I/II open-label clinical trial of the glutaminase inhibitor telaglenastat in combination with Pfizer’s CDK 4/6 inhibitor palbociclib, also known as Ibrance^®. The study will evaluate the safety and anti-tumor activity of telaglenastat plus palbociclib in patients with KRAS-mutated colorectal cancer and KRAS-mutated non-small cell lung cancer. [Calithera Biosciences, Inc.] Press Release

Get an overview of intestinal organoids and their applications. Learn More

Hungarian Law Wrests Control of Research from Scientific Academy

The Hungarian Parliament passed a bill that takes control for funding Hungarian research bodies away from the Hungarian Academy of Sciences and gives it to a government-led committee, Reuters reports. [The Scientist] Editorial

Mexican President Eases Up on Researchers’ Travel Rules

A month after announcing increased austerity measures on international travel for scientists, Mexico’s National Council of Science and Technology announced last month that at least one restriction would be loosened. Scientists would not require presidential approval for every trip abroad. [The Scientist] Editorial

NEW Victorian Comprehensive Cancer Centre (VCCC) Research Conference 2019
September 16-17, 2019
Melbourne, Australia

Visit our events page to see a complete list of events in the community.

NEW Postdoctoral Fellow – Single Cell Genomics of IBD (Wellcome Sanger Institute)

NEW Postdoctoral Fellowship – Cancer Biology (Ninewells Hospital and Medical School)

NEW Clinical Research Coordinator – Pediatric IBD (The Center for Pediatric Inflammatory Bowel Disease)

NEW Principle Researcher – Systems Disease Biology (Boehringer Ingelheim)

Research Lab Specialist – Tumor Microenvironment & Cell Behavior (University of Southern California)

Postdoctoral Research – Lipoproteins in IBD (University of Connecticut)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Immunometabolism of IBD (Luxembourg Institute of Health)

Principle Investigator – Gut Physiology (Nestlé Research Center)

Postdoctoral Researcher – Mucosal Immunology and Inflammation (Gilead Sciences, Inc.)

Postdoctoral Position – Paneth Cells (Erasmus MC Cancer Institute)

Recruit Top Talent: Reach potential candidates by posting your organization’s career opportunities on the Connexon Creative Job Board at no cost.

Have we missed an important article or publication in Intestinal Cell News? Click here to submit!

Comments or suggestions? Submit your feedback here.