Pancreatic Cell News Volume 3.49 | Dec 11 2012

DIABETES

Noninvasive In Vivo Model Demonstrating the Effects of Autonomic Innervation on Pancreatic Islet Function
Researchers used an in vivo model to study the role of islet nervous input in glucose homeostasis. They transplanted islets into the anterior chamber of the eye and found that islet grafts became densely innervated by the rich parasympathetic and sympathetic nervous supply of the iris. [Proc Natl Acad Sci USA]
Abstract | Press Release

Identification of a Pathway by which Glucose Regulates ß-Catenin Signaling via the cAMP/Protein Kinase A Pathway in ß-Cell Models
The authors showed that ß-catenin levels and downstream signaling are regulated by changes in glucose levels in INS-1E and ß-TC ß-cell models. [Biochem J] Abstract | Full Article

Proinsulin Intermolecular Interactions during Secretory Trafficking in Pancreatic Beta Cells
Researchers exploited ‘hPro-CpepSfGFP’ – a human proinsulin bearing ‘superfolder’ green fluorescent C-peptide, expressed in pancreatic beta cells where it is processed to human insulin and CpepSfGFP. [J Biol Chem] Abstract | Full Article

Chronic Exercise Enhances Insulin Secretion Ability of Pancreatic Islets without Change in Insulin Content in Non-Diabetic Rats
The authors evaluated the effect of chronic exercise on insulin secretion in response to high-glucose by using a perifusion method with isolated pancreatic islets from normal rats. [Biochem Biophys Res Commun] Abstract

Pancreatic Islet Basement Membrane Loss and Remodeling after Mouse Islet Isolation and Transplantation: Impact for Allograft Rejection
Investigators assessed the basement membranes of mouse pancreatic islets as a molecular biomarker for islet integrity, damage after isolation and islet repair in vitro as well as in the absence or presence of an immune response after transplantation. [Cell Transplant] Abstract

PANCREATIC CANCER

Gamma-Amino Butyric Acid (GABA) Prevents the Induction of Nicotinic Receptor-Regulated Signaling by Chronic Ethanol in Pancreatic Cancer Cells and Normal Duct Epithelia
Researchers have previously shown that nicotinic acetylcholine receptors regulate pancreatic ductal epithelia and pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma cells in an autocrine fashion by stimulating their production of the stress neurotransmitters noradrenaline and adrenaline that signal through beta-adrenergic receptors. Here, they investigated the modulation of this autocrine regulatory loop by chronic ethanol and explored the potential prevention of these effects by GABA. [Cancer Prev Res] Abstract

Delta Like Ligand 4 Induces Impaired Chemo-Drug Delivery and Enhanced Chemoresistance in Pancreatic Cancer
Researchers discovered that overexpressed Delta like ligand 4 on neoplastic cells can enhance chemoresistance through angiogenesis-dependent/independent mechanisms in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. [Cancer Lett] Abstract

IP3 Receptor Type 2 Deficiency Is Associated with a Secretory Defect in the Pancreatic Acinar Cell and an Accumulation of Zymogen Granules
Investigators examined the role of inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP3) receptor type 2 (IP3R2) using mice deficient in the Ca²⁺ release channel. Using live acinar cell Ca²⁺ imaging, they found that loss of IP3R2 reduced the amplitude of the apical Ca²⁺ signal and caused a delay in its initiation. [PLoS One] Full Article

Ectopic Expression of the Heterotrimeric G15 Protein in Pancreatic Carcinoma and Its Potential in Cancer Signal Transduction
Based on the fact that PKD1 is a multifunctional protein kinase activated by PKC and known for promoting oncogenic signaling, scientists hypothesized that, if expressed out of its natural cell context, G15 might promote tumor growth. A screening for G15 a-subunit mRNA expression pointed to pancreatic carcinoma among different human cancer cell types and revealed significant expression in human tumor biopsies xenografted in mice. [Cell Signal] Abstract

REVIEWS

Regulation of Insulin and Type 1 Insulin-Like Growth Factor Signaling and Action by the Grb10/14 and SH2B1/B2 Adapter Proteins
Investigators discuss the regulation of insulin/insulin-like growth factor 1 receptor signaling and action by two adapter families with a similar domain organization, the Grb7/10/14 and SH2B proteins. [FEBS J]
Abstract | Full Article

Distinctions between the Islets of Mice and Men: Implications for New Therapies for Type 1 and 2 Diabetes
The authors elucidate why diabetes is so difficult to treat despite the present tools and pharmacological armamentarium and provide insights into emerging therapies including human and rodent data demonstrating the ability to transform progenitor cells that reside within the adult pancreas into new islet. [Endocr Pract] Abstract | Full Article

David M. Rubenstein Gives $10 Million to Launch Pancreatic Cancer Research Center at Memorial Sloan-Kettering
A new pancreatic cancer research center has been created at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC). The ambitious initiative was established with an initial commitment of $10 million from MSKCC Board member David M. Rubenstein. [Newswise, Inc] Press Release

University of Chicago’s Graeme Bell Receives International Diabetes Prize
Graeme Ian Bell, PhD, the Louis Block Distinguished Service Professor of Medicine and Human Genetics and an investigator in the Kovler Diabetes Center at the University of Chicago, has been awarded the Manpei Suzuki International Prize for 2012 for his pioneering work in understanding the role of genetics in the diagnosis and treatment of diabetes. [The University of Chicago Medical Center] Press Release

Myriad Announces Diabetes Collaboration with Sanofi
Myriad Genetics announced that Myriad RBM has entered into a research collaboration with Sanofi and Population Health Research Institute at Hamilton Health Sciences and McMaster University. Through this collaboration, Myriad RBM will perform protein biomarker research for the Outcome Reduction with Initial Glargine Intervention study, the world’s longest and largest randomized clinical trial in pre- and early diabetes. [Myriad Genetics, Inc.] Press Release

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Scientist – Endothelial Cell Research (STEMCELL Technologies, Inc.)

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Postdoctoral Position – Beta Cell Biology and Translational Research (University of California, Los Angeles)

Postdoctoral Position – Tumor Stem Cells (Cancer Institute of New Jersey)

Postdoctoral Position – In Vivo Drug Discovery Using Zebrafish (Karolinska Institute)

Postdoctoral Position – Novel Receptors in Endocrine Pancreas Development (TU-Dresden)

Postdoctoral Position – Pancreatic Cancer Research (Ohio State University – Comprehensive Cancer Center)

Postdoctoral Position – Pancreatic/Liver Cell Differentiation in Development and Cancer (de Duve Institute)

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