Pancreatic Cell News Volume 10.00 | Jan 8 2019

TOP STORY

Combined Inhibition of DYRK1A, SMAD, and Trithorax Pathways Synergizes to Induce Robust Replication in Adult Human Beta Cells

Scientists demonstrated that combined pharmacologic inhibition of dual-specificity tyrosine-regulated kinase 1A (DYRK1A) and transforming growth factor beta superfamily/SMAD signaling generated remarkable further synergistic increases in human beta cell proliferation, and increases in both mouse and human beta cell numbers. [Cell Metab] Abstract | Press Release | Graphical Abstract

(Ranked by impact factor of the journal)

DIABETES & PANCREATITIS

Neurog3-Independent Methylation Is the Earliest Detectable Mark Distinguishing Pancreatic Progenitor Identity

The Myt1⁺Neurog3⁺ cells displayed higher Dnmt1 expression and enhancer methylation at Arx, an α-fate-promoting gene. Inhibiting Dnmts in pancreatic progenitors promoted α cell specification, while Dnmt1 overexpression or Arx enhancer hypermethylation favored β cell production. [Dev Cell] Full Article

Pancreatic Cell Fate Determination Relies on Notch Ligand Trafficking by NFIA

Investigators found that the transcription factor nuclear factor I/A (NFIA) promoted endocrine development by regulating Notch ligand Dll1 trafficking. [Cell Rep] Full Article | Graphical Abstract

From Hyper- to Hypoinsulinemia and Diabetes: Effect of KCNH6 on Insulin Secretion

Researchers showed that a non-K_ATP K⁺ channel, KCNH6, played a key role in insulin secretion and glucose hemostasis in humans and mice. [Cell Rep] Full Article | Graphical Abstract

Mitochondrial Lysine Deacetylation Promotes Energy Metabolism and Calcium Signaling in Insulin-Secreting Cells

Disruption of the sirtuin-3 (SIRT3) gene had a deleterious effect on mitochondrial energy metabolism and Ca²⁺ signaling. Under resting conditions, SIRT3 deficient cells were overactivated, which elevated the respiratory rate and enhanced calcium signaling and basal insulin secretion. [FASEB J] Abstract

Catechol Estrogens Stimulate Insulin Secretion in Pancreatic β-Cells via Activation of TRPA1 Channel

Calcium influx and insulin secretion stimulated by estrogen metabolites were dependent on the transient receptor potential A1 (TRPA1) activity and inhibited with the channel specific pharmacological antagonists or the small interfering RNA. [J Biol Chem] Full Article

PANCREATIC CANCER

CKAP4, a DKK1 Receptor, Is a Biomarker in Exosomes Derived from Pancreatic Cancer and a Molecular Target for Therapy

The secretion of cytoskeleton-associated protein 4 (CKAP4)-containing exosomes was mediated by Dickkopf1-dependent endocytosis routes and required exosome biogenesis molecules. [Clin Cancer Res] Abstract

Biodegradable Polymer Coated Multifunctional Graphene Quantum Dots for Light-Triggered Synergetic Therapy of Pancreatic Cancer

Researchers reported the synthesis of an engineered novel nanocarrier composed of biodegradable charged polyester vectors and graphene quantum dots for pancreatic cancer therapy applications. [ACS Appl Mater Interfaces] Abstract

Long Non-Coding RNA HULC Promotes Proliferation, Migration and Invasion of Pancreatic Cancer Cells by Down-Regulating MicroRNA-15a

Scientists found that HULC had a higher expression level, while miR-15a had a lower expression level in pancreatic cancer tissues. Overexpression of HULC promoted the proliferation, migration and invasion of Panc-1 cells. [Int J Biol Macromol] Abstract

KRas4B-PDE6δ Complex Stabilization by Small Molecules Obtained by Virtual Screening Affects Ras Signaling in Pancreatic Cancer

According to binding affinity estimation, D14 and C22 stabilized the protein-protein interaction in the KRas4B-PDE6δ complex based on in vitro evaluation of the 38 compounds showing antineoplastic activity against pancreatic MIA PaCa-2 cancer cells. [BMC Cancer] Full Article

Anti-CD137 Monoclonal Antibody Enhances Trastuzumab-Induced, Natural Killer Cell-Mediated Cytotoxicity against Pancreatic Cancer Cell Lines with Low Human Epidermal Growth Factor-Like Receptor 2 Expression

Investigators examined whether anti-CD137 stimulating monoclonal antibody could enhance trastuzumab-mediated antibody-dependent, natural killer cell-mediated cytotoxicity against Panc-1, a human pancreatic cancer cell line with low human epidermal growth factor-like receptor 2 expression, in vitro. [PLoS One] Full Article

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Emerging Role of Testosterone in Pancreatic β-Cell Function and Insulin Secretion

The authors discuss recent evidence that the androgen receptor is present in male and female β cells. [J Endocrinol] Abstract

Potential Use of Aptamers for Diagnosis and Treatment of Pancreatic Cancer

Investigators summarize the potential use of aptamers in the diagnosis and treatment of pancreatic cancer. [J Drug Target] Abstract

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

Tarveda Therapeutics to Present at the 2019 Biotech Showcase

In the presentation, Mr. Fromkin will provide an overview of Tarveda’s two clinical programs including PEN-221, which is currently in clinical evaluation for the treatment of patients with somatostatin receptor 2 positive neuroendocrine tumors and PEN-866, the first miniature drug conjugate from Tarveda’s HSP90 binding conjugate platform, which is being developed for the treatment of patients with solid tumors including but not limited to small cell lung cancer, pancreatic cancer and sarcomas. [Press release from Tarveda Therapeutics, Inc. discussing research presented at the 11th Annual Biotech Showcase, San Francisco] Press Release

ViaCyte Provides Update on Patent Portfolio in Stem Cell-Derived Cell Replacement Therapies for Type 1 Diabetes and Other Indications

ViaCyte, Inc. announced 165 new patents were issued in 2018. These issued patents provide protection to the company’s core technologies in the United States, European Union, and other jurisdictions around the world and further reinforce ViaCyte’s already strong intellectual property position in pluripotent cell-derived and implantable cell replacement therapies for insulin-requiring diabetes and other potential indications. [ViaCyte, Inc.] Press Release

ViewRay Announces First Patient Enrolled in Stereotactic MRI-guided On-Table Adaptive Radiation Therapy Trial for Locally Advanced Pancreatic Cancer

ViewRay, Inc. announced the enrollment of the first patient in the stereotactic MRI-guided on-table adaptive radiation therapy trial, a multi-center, prospective clinical trial for locally advanced or borderline pancreatic cancer. [ViewRay, Inc. (PR Newswire Association LLC)] Press Release

Moleculin Announces Positive Data for Its Pancreatic Cancer Drug Candidate

Moleculin Biotech, Inc. announced that in preliminary animal studies, a second of its lead drugs, WP1732, demonstrated enhanced activity in combination with checkpoint blockade antibodies in pancreatic cancer. [Moleculin Biotech, Inc.] Press Release

U.S. Government Shutdown Starts to Take a Bite Out of Science

The shutdown is creating chaos for university researchers, private contractors, and others who collaborate with idled federal scientists, or depend on affected agencies for funding, facilities, and data. Besides doing lasting damage to some research projects, the standstill is threatening livelihoods. [ScienceInsider] Editorial

How Much Do Graduate Students Benefit from Studying Abroad?

The National Science Foundation is rethinking how to provide U.S. graduate students with a chance to do science in another country. It also wants to know whether its current foreign travel programs are working. [ScienceInsider] Editorial

Swiss Researchers Struggle to Get Animal Experiments Approved

Scientists say that increasingly rigorous licensing procedures have complicated research efforts – and in some cases, stopped experiments completely. [The Scientist] Editorial

NEW European CanCer Organisation (ECCO) 2019: European Cancer Summit
September 12-14, 2019
Brussels, Belgium

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

NEW Postdoctoral Fellowship – Developmental and Cancer Biology (University of Copenhagen)

NEW Postdoctoral Research Associate – Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine (King’s College London)

Research Technologist – Pancreatic Cell Research (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Neuroscience and Diabetes (The Child Health Institute of New Jersey)

Postdoctoral Fellowship – Pancreatic Beta-Cell Development (City of Hope)

Postdoctoral Research Associate – Pancreas Development (University of Illinois)

Computational Biologist – Translational Cancer Research (Technical University of Munich)

Postdoctoral Position – Pancreatic Cancer (University Hospitals)

Postdoctoral Position – Stem Cells and Diabetes (A*STAR)

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