Pancreatic Cell News Volume 10.45 | Nov 19 2019

TOP STORY

Translational Reprogramming Marks Adaptation to Asparagine Restriction in Cancer

Investigators demonstrated the role of translational reprogramming in the survival of asparagine-restricted cancer cells. Asparagine limitation in melanoma and pancreatic cancer cells activated receptor tyrosine kinase-MAPK signaling as part of a feedforward mechanism. [Nat Cell Biol] Abstract

(Ranked by impact factor of the journal)

DIABETES & PANCREATITIS

Tacrolimus-Induced BMP/SMAD Signaling Associates with Metabolic Stress-Activated FOXO1 to Trigger β-Cell Failure

Scientists showed that tacrolimus induced loss of human β-cell maturity and β-cell failure through activation of the BMP/SMAD signaling pathway when administered under mild metabolic stress conditions. Tacrolimus-induced phospho-SMAD1/5 acted in synergy with metabolic stress-activated FOXO1 through formation of a complex. [Diabetes] Abstract

Activation of the HIF1α/PFKFB3 Stress Response Pathway in Beta Cells in Type 1 Diabetes

RNA sequencing data from human islets with type 1 diabetes or after cytokine exposure in vitro was evaluated for activation of hypoxia inducible factor 1 α (HIF1α) targets. This was corroborated by immunostaining human pancreases from individuals with type 1 diabetes for 6-phosphofructo-2-kinase/fructose-2,6-biphosphatase 3 (PFKFB3). [Diabetologia] Abstract

Mechanism and Effects of Pulsatile GABA Secretion from Cytosolic Pools in the Human Beta Cell

Researchers provided evidence that the human beta cell effluxed GABA from a cytosolic pool in a pulsatile manner, imposing a synchronizing rhythm on pulsatile insulin secretion. [Nat Metab] Abstract

PANCREATIC CANCER

eIF4A Supports an Oncogenic Translation Program in Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma

The authors showed that pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma cells engaged an eIF4F-dependent translation program that supports redox and central carbon metabolism. Inhibition of the eIF4F subunit, eIF4A, using the synthetic rocaglate CR-1-31-B reduced the viability of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma organoids relative to their normal counterparts. [Nat Commun] Full Article

MCL-1 Antagonism Enhances the Anti-Invasive Effects of Dasatinib in Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma

The MCL-1 antagonist S63845 synergized with the SRC kinase inhibitor dasatinib to reduce cell viability and invasiveness through 3D-organotypic matrices. In preclinical murine models, this combination reduced primary tumor growth and liver metastasis of pancreatic cancer xenografts. [Oncogene] Full Article

Inhibition of PTP1B Blocks Pancreatic Cancer Progression by Targeting the PKM2/AMPK/mTOC1 Pathway

Inhibition of protein-tyrosine phosphatase 1B (PTP1B) either by shRNA or by a specific small-molecule inhibitor significantly suppressed pancreatic cancer cell growth, migration and colony formation with cell cycle arrest in vitro and inhibited pancreatic cancer progression in vivo. [Cell Death Dis] Full Article

Sangivamycin and Its Derivatives Inhibit Haspin-Histone H3-Survivin Signaling and Induce Pancreatic Cancer Cell Death

Researchers showed that the nucleoside analog sangivamycin and its closely-related compound toyocamycin target pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma cell lines, and were significantly more efficient than gemcitabine. [Sci Rep] Full Article

Antitumor Activity and Combined Inhibitory Effect of Ceritinib with Gemcitabine in Pancreatic Cancer

Scientists analyzed the combined effects of ceritinib and gemcitabine on pancreatic cancer and their mechanism of action. Three pancreatic cancer cell lines were used to evaluate the antitumor effects of ceritinib combined with gemcitabine. [Am J Physiol Gastrointest Liver Physiol] Abstract

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

Circulating Tumor DNA as a Prognostic Indicator in Resectable Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Scientists investigated the prognostic significance of baseline circulating tumor DNA and postoperative circulating tumor DNA in patients with resectable pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. [Sci Rep] Full Article

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

Moleculin Announces Beginning of Preclinical Development of New Approach to Pancreatic Cancer

Moleculin Biotech, Inc. announced it has begun preclinical testing of its drug candidate, WP1122, which it believes may present a new approach to treating highly glycolytic tumors like pancreatic cancer and glioblastoma. [Moleculin Biotech, Inc.] Press Release

PharmaCyte Biotech Successfully Completes Final Manufacturing Run of Clinical Trial Product

PharmaCyte Biotech, Inc. announced that its partner, Austrianova Singapore, has successfully completed the second and final GMP manufacturing run to produce PharmaCyte’s clinical trial product. [PharmaCyte Biotech, Inc.] Press Release

The Science Institutions Hiring Integrity Inspectors to Vet Their Papers

Some researchers have their manuscripts screened for errors before they go to journals. [Nature News] Editorial

Foreign Interference Fears Prompt Guidelines for Australian Universities

New guidelines will help Australian universities protect themselves against foreign interference, says the country’s government. The advice follows concerns that foreign groups or governments, such as the government of China, might be seeking to instigate campus activities that are against Australia’s interests. [Nature News] Editorial

Violent Clashes at Hong Kong Universities Disrupt Research

Three universities in Hong Kong have cancelled classes on campus for the rest of the term after violent clashes between police and protestors erupted in the grounds. At least another four universities have also cancelled classes – in some cases for the rest of the year – over safety concerns. [Nature News] Editorial

NEW Islet Biology: From Gene to Cell to Micro-Organ
January 27-31, 2020
Santa Fe, New Mexico, United States

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

NEW Research Technician – Cell Engineering in Diabetes (Helmholtz Zentrum München)

Postdoctoral Position – Pancreatic Cancer Bioinformatics (University of Copenhagen)

Postdoctoral Associate – Targeting Altered RNA Processing Mechanisms in Pancreatic Cancer (Yale University)

Postdoctoral Studentship – Pancreatic Cancer Immunology/Bioinformatics (Heidelberg University Hospital)

Postdoctoral Scholar – Pancreatic Cancer Cell Research (University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center)

Postdoctoral Researcher – Islet Biology, Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine (The Cell Isolation and Transplantation Center)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Type I Diabetes Research (German Research Center for Environmental Health)

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

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.