Pancreatic Cell News Volume 2.44 | Nov 8 2011

DIABETES

Zebrafish mnx1 Controls Cell Fate Choice in the Developing Endocrine Pancreas
Investigators have used the zebrafish to uncover genes that function downstream of retinoic acid (RA) signaling, and here they identify mnx1 (hb9) as an RA-regulated endoderm transcription factor-encoding gene. [Development] Abstract

Structure-Based Selection of Small Molecules to Alter Allele-Specific MHC Class II Antigen Presentation
Glyphosine, a pocket 9 compound, enhances insulin peptide presentation to T cells at concentrations as low as 10 nM, upregulates IL-10 secretion, and prevents diabetes in NOD mice. [J Immunol] Abstract | Press Release

Metabolic Regulation in Progression to Autoimmune Diabetes
The findings indicate that autoimmune diabetes is preceded by a state of increased metabolic demands on the islets resulting in elevated insulin secretion and suggest alternative metabolic related pathways as therapeutic targets to prevent diabetes. [PLoS Comput Biol] Abstract | Press Release

Dynamic Measurements of Mitochondrial Hydrogen Peroxide Concentration and Glutathione Redox State in Rat Pancreatic ß-Cells Using Ratiometric Fluorescent Proteins: Confounding Effects of pH with HyPer but Not roGFP1
Here, scientists used the ratiometric fluorescent proteins HyPer and roGFP1 targeted to mitochondria (mt-HyPer/mt-roGFP1) to monitor glucose-induced changes in mitochondrial hydrogen peroxide concentration (mt-HyPer) and glutathione redox state (mt-roGFP1) in adenovirus-infected rat islet cell clusters. [Biochem J] Abstract

Voluntary Running Exercise Prevents Beta Cell Failure in Susceptible Islets of the Zucker Diabetic Fatty Rat
Researchers evaluated the role of physical activity on ß-cell secretory function and glycerolipid/fatty acid cycling in male Zucker Diabetic Fatty rats. [Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab] Abstract

PANCREATIC CANCER

The Phosphatase PHLPP1 Regulates Akt2, Promotes Pancreatic Cancer Cell Death, and Inhibits Tumor Formation
Researchers investigated regulation of Akt activity and cell death by the phosphatases PHLPP1 and 2 in pancreatic cancer (PaCa) cells, mouse models of PaCa, and human pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. [Gastroenterology] Abstract

Antitumor Alkyl-Lysophospholipid Analog Edelfosine Induces Apoptosis in Pancreatic Cancer by Targeting Endoplasmic Reticulum
In this study, researchers found that the anticancer drug edelfosine was the most potent alkyl-lysophospholipid analog in killing human pancreatic cancer cells, targeting endoplasmic reticulum. [Oncogene] Abstract

Loss of UDP-N-Acetylglucosamine 2-Epimerase/ N-Acetylmannosamine Kinase (GNE) Induces Apoptotic Processes in Pancreatic Carcinoma Cells
Silencing of GNE, the key enzyme of sialic acid biosynthesis, sensitizes pancreatic cancer cells to anoikis. Accordingly, researchers observed a loss of GNE enzyme activity in cells, which became anoikis susceptible after transfection with the tumor suppressor p16. [FASEB J] Abstract

Proteomic Analysis Reveals Warburg Effect and Anomalous Metabolism of Glutamine in Pancreatic Cancer Cells
Scientists characterized the proteomes of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma cell line PANC-1 and normal pancreatic duct cells by mass spectrometry using LTQ-Orbitrap, and identified more than 1700 proteins from each sample. [J Proteome Res] Abstract

Caveolin-1 Promotes Pancreatic Cancer Cell Differentiation and Restores Membranous E-Cadherin via Suppression of the Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition
Here, researchers show that caveolin-1 expression in pancreatic cancer cells induces an epithelial phenotype and promotes cell-cell contact, with increased expression of plasma membrane bound E-cadherin and beta-catenin. [Cell Cycle] Abstract

Lipotoxicity Causes Multisystem Organ Failure and Exacerbates Acute Pancreatitis in Obesity
In obese humans, investigators found that an increase in the volume of intrapancreatic adipocytes was associated with more extensive pancreatic necrosis during acute pancreatitis and that acute pancreatitis was associated with multisystem organ failure in obese individuals. [Sci Transl Med] Abstract | Press Release

Results of a Multi-Center Study Show microRNA-Based Pancreatic Cancer Assay Improves the Diagnostic Accuracy of FNA Cytology
The data demonstrates that the addition of a microRNA-based molecular test may enhance the diagnostic accuracy of fine needle aspiration (FNA) cytology on indeterminate and suspicious specimens. [Press release from Asuragen, Inc. discussing research presented at the American Pancreatic Association Annual Meeting 2011, Chicago] Press Release

First Evidence of New ‘Druggable’ DNA Repair Target to Destroy Cancer Cells
Researchers have developed small molecules that block APE1. They tested the ability of these molecules to stop the enzyme from repairing DNA damage in breast, pancreatic and cervical cancer cells containing faults in BRCA1 or BRCA2 genes. [Press release from Cancer Research UK discussing research presented at the National Cancer Research Institute Cancer Conference, Liverpool] Press Release

Duncan Cancer Center Researchers Awarded $13 Million in New Round of CPRIT Grants
Researchers in the National Cancer Institute-designated Dan L. Duncan Cancer Center at Baylor College of Medicine have received an additional $13 million in the new round of grants announced by the Cancer Prevention Research Institute of Texas (CPRIT). [Baylor College of Medicine] Press Release

JDRF, Helmsley Charitable Trust Form Collaboration to Accelerate Innovative Type 1 Diabetes Research
The Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) and The Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust announced a formal collaboration to accelerate the pace of diabetes research and deliver better treatments, devices, and diagnostics for improving the lives of people with type 1 diabetes. [The Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust] Press Release

Arch Biopartners Engages Intertek Cantox to Devise Drug Development Plan for Lead Cancer Compound
Arch Biopartners, Inc. (the “Company”) announced it has engaged Intertek Cantox to devise the drug development plan for the Company’s lead compound, GH501a. The Company recently identified GH501a as a potential treatment for non-small cell lung cancer and pancreatic cancer. [Arch Biopartners, Inc.] Press Release

National Institutes of Health (United States)

Food and Drug Administration (United States)
 
Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research (United States)

European Medicines Agency (European Union)

Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (United Kingdom)

National Health Service (United Kingdom)

Therapeutic Goods Administration (Australia)

Lab Technologist – Tissue Culture (STEMCELL Technologies)

Research and Development Technologist, hPSC Media (STEMCELL Technologies) 

Lab Technologist – Pluripotent Stem Cells (STEMCELL Technologies)

Scientist – Pluripotent Stem Cells (STEMCELL Technologies)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Islet Cell Electrophysiology (Vanderbilt University)    

Professor of Metabolism and Diabetes (Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences)

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