Pancreatic Cell News Volume 10.34 | Sep 3 2019

TOP STORY

Distinct Methylation Levels of Mature MicroRNAs in Gastrointestinal Cancers

The authors showed that a fraction of mature miRNAs including miR-17-5p, -21-5p, and -200c-3p and let-7a-5p harbored methyl marks that potentially altered their stability and target recognition. Importantly, methylation of these miRNAs was significantly increased in cancer tissues as compared to paired normal tissues. [Nat Commun] Full Article | Editorial

(Ranked by impact factor of the journal)

DIABETES & PANCREATITIS

Genetically Encoded, Photostable Indicators to Image Dynamic Zn²⁺ Secretion of Pancreatic Islets

Investigators applied cell surface-localized ZIBG2 to monitor glucose-induced dynamic zinc (Zn²⁺) secretion from mouse insulinoma MIN6 cells and primary mouse and human pancreatic islets. Because Zn²⁺ was co-released with insulin from β-cells, the fluorescence of cell surface-localized ZIBG2 was shown to be a strong indicator for the functional potency of islets. [Anal Chem] Abstract

Oxidative Stress Induces Apoptosis via Calpain- and Caspase-3-Mediated Cleavage of ATM in Pancreatic Acinar Cells

Researchers investigated whether H₂O₂ produced by the action of glucose oxidase on α-D-glucose induced apoptosis in pancreatic acinar AR42J cells through an alteration of the level of ataxia telangiectasia mutated (ATM). [Free Radic Res] Abstract

Delineating the Role of FANCA in Glucose-Stimulated Insulin Secretion in β Cells through Its Protein Interactome

Scientists revealed that FANCA or FANCB knockdown impaired glucose-stimulated insulin secretion in human pancreas β cell line EndoC-βH3. [PLoS One] Full Article

PANCREATIC CANCER

A Biomimetic Pancreatic Cancer On-Chip Reveals Endothelial Ablation via ALK7 Signaling

Researchers describe an organotypic pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC)-on-a-chip culture model that emulated vascular invasion and tumor-blood vessel interactions to better understand PDAC-vascular interactions. The model featured a 3D matrix containing juxtaposed PDAC and perfusable endothelial lumens. [Sci Adv] Full Article | Press Release

Rho Guanine Nucleotide Exchange Factor ARHGEF10 Is a Putative Tumor Suppressor in Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma

Loss of ARHGEF10 expression increased in vitro proliferation, invasion, and motility of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma cell lines, and enhanced their metastatic spread in orthotopic mouse models. [Oncogene] Abstract

The Differential Distributions of ASPM Isoforms and Their Roles in Wnt Signaling, Cell Cycle Progression, and Pancreatic Cancer Prognosis

Abnormal spindle-like microcephaly associated (ASPM) isoform 1 colocalized with disheveled-2 and active β-catenin as well as the stemness marker aldehyde dehydrogenase-1, and its expression was indispensable for the Wnt activity, stemness and the tumorigenicity of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma cells. [J Pathol] Abstract

Copper Oxide Nanoparticles Inhibit Pancreatic Tumor Growth Primarily by Targeting Tumor Initiating Cells

Researchers demonstrated that copper oxide nanoparticles (CuO-NPs) were cytotoxic against tumor initiating cell (TIC)-enriched PANC1 human pancreatic cancer cell cultures. Treatment with CuO-NPs decreased cell viability and increased apoptosis in TIC-enriched PANC1 cultures to a greater extent than in standard PANC1 cultures. [Sci Rep] Full Article

Linc-RoR Promotes Proliferation, Migration, and Invasion via the Hippo/YAP Pathway in Pancreatic Cancer Cells

Large intergenic noncoding RNA regulator of reprogramming (Linc-RoR) knockdown inhibited the expression of mesenchymal markers, promoted the expression of epithelial markers, as well as weakened pancreatic cancer cells migration and invasion. [J Cell Biochem] Abstract

Subscribe to one of our other 19 science newsletters such as Hepatic Cell News & Intestinal Cell News.

Emerging Epigenomic Landscapes of Pancreatic Cancer in the Era of Precision Medicine

Recent studies have uncovered potentially actionable pathways, which support the prediction that future trials for pancreatic cancer will involve the vigorous testing of epigenomic therapeutics. Thus, epigenomics promises to generate a significant amount of new knowledge of both biological and medical importance. [Nat Commun] Full Article

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

Vertex to Acquire Semma Therapeutics with a Goal of Developing Curative Cell-Based Treatments for Type 1 Diabetes

Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated announced that the company has entered into a definitive agreement under which Vertex will acquire Semma Therapeutics, a privately held biotechnology company pioneering the use of stem cell-derived human islets as a potentially curative treatment for type 1 diabetes. [Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated] Press Release

Esperion Announces Positive Top-Line Results from Phase II Study of Bempedoic Acid/Ezetimibe Combination Tablet in Patients with Hypercholesterolemia and Type 2 Diabetes

Esperion announced positive top-line results from the Phase II bempedoic acid/ezetimibe combination tablet study. This was a randomized, double-blind, parallel group study assessing the efficacy and safety of the bempedoic acid/ezetimibe combination tablet compared to ezetimibe and placebo in 179 patients with both hypercholesterolemia and type 2 diabetes. [Esperion Therapeutics, Inc.] Press Release

Drug Designed to Treat Metastatic Pancreatic Cancer May Help Extend Life

A drug developed by researchers at the Renaissance School of Medicine at Stony Brook University that targets enzymes involved in the development of pancreatic cancer cells is showing promise for improved treatment of metastatic pancreatic cancer. [Stony Brook Cancer Center] Press Release

As Hurricane Dorian Bears Down, Researchers Get Ready

For the fourth consecutive year, scientists in Florida are preparing for a major hurricane, laying down sandbags and boarding up windows at research facilities along the state’s Atlantic coast. [ScienceInsider] Editorial

Foreign Interference under the Spotlight at Australian Universities

The Australian government says it will establish an expert committee to detect and respond to cyberattacks, intellectual-property theft and other strikes against universities by foreign governments or groups. The move comes amid growing concerns from some politicians and academics about foreign influence at Australian campuses. [Nature News] Editorial

NEW Cancer Evolution and Combinatorial Cancer Therapies: Concepts and Challenges
January 19-23, 2020
Banff, Alberta, Canada

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

NEW Postdoctoral Position – Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma (IT University of Copenhagen)

Scientific Communications Coordinator (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

Lab Aide – Pancreatic Cancer Research (Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center)

Research Technition – Diabetes, Allergies, and Lung Diseases (Helmholtz Zentrum München)

Postdoctoral Researcher – Auto-Immunity (Benaroya Research Institute)

Postdoctoral Researcher – Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism (The University of Alabama at Birmingham)

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

Postdoctoral Fellowship – Regenerative Medicine and Metabolic Biology (Indiana Biosciences Research Institute)

Research Positions – Pancreatic Beta-Cells (Université de Montréal)

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

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 Pancreatic Cell News? Click here to submit!

Comments or suggestions? Submit your feedback here.