DIABETES & PANCREATITIS MicroRNA-26a Targets Ten Eleven Translocation Enzymes and Is Regulated during Pancreatic Cell Differentiation The molecular mechanisms that regulate Ten eleven translocations (TETs)/thymine DNA glycosylase (TDG) expression and their role in cellular differentiation, including that of the pancreas, are not known. Scientists report that TET1/2/3 and TDG can be direct targets of microRNA-26a. [Proc Natl Acad Sci USA] Abstract Artificial Three-Dimensional Niches Deconstruct Pancreas Development In Vitro Researchers established three-dimensional culture conditions in Matrigel that enable the efficient expansion of dissociated mouse embryonic pancreatic progenitors. By manipulating the medium composition they generated either hollow spheres, which are mainly composed of pancreatic progenitors, or complex organoids that spontaneously undergo pancreatic morphogenesis and differentiation. [Development] Full Article Cocoa Flavonoid Epicatechin Protects Pancreatic Beta Cell Viability and Function against Oxidative Stress Researchers investigated the chemo-protective effect of epicatechin against oxidative stress induced by tert-butylhydroperoxide on Ins-1E pancreatic beta cells. [Mol Nutr Food Res] Abstract Insulin Secretion and Ca2+ Dynamics in β-Cells Are Regulated by PERK eIF2α Kinase in Concert with Calcineurin Scientists used a newly developed and highly specific inhibitor of EIF2AK3 (PERK) to determine the immediate effects of acute ablation of PERK activity. They found that inhibition of PERK in human and rodent β-cells causes a rapid inhibition of secretagogue-stimulated subcellular Ca2+ signaling and insulin secretion. [J Biol Chem] Abstract | Full Article Knockdown of Prolactin Receptors in a Pancreatic Beta Cell Line: Effects on DNA Synthesis, Apoptosis, and Gene Expression Researchers treated rat insulinoma cells with a PRL receptor (PRLR) siRNA to determine if PRLR signaling is required for beta cell DNA synthesis and cell survival and to identify beta cell cycle genes whose expression depends upon lactogen action. [Endocrine] Abstract PANCREATIC CANCER MicroRNAs Co-operatively Inhibit a Network of Tumor Suppressor Genes to Promote Pancreatic Tumor Growth and Progression Scientists identified three microRNAs (miRNAs) that acted as cooperative repressors of a network of tumor suppressor genes that included PDCD4, BTG2, and NEDD4L. Inhibition of MIR21, MIR23A, and MIR27A had synergistic effects in reducing proliferation of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma cells in culture and growth of xenograft tumors in mice. [Gastroenterology] Abstract Novel Methylation Biomarker Panel for the Early Detection of Pancreatic Cancer Researchers used a genome-wide pharmacologic transcriptome approach to identify novel cancer-specific DNA methylation alterations in pancreatic cancer cell lines. [Clin Cancer Res] Abstract Selective Disruption of Rb-Raf-1 Kinase Interaction Inhibits Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma Growth Irrespective of Gemcitabine Sensitivity To define the anti-tumor effects of RRD-251, cell-cycle analyses, senescence, cell viability, cell migration, anchorage-independent growth, angiogenic tubule formation and invasion assays were performed on gemcitabine sensitive and resistant pancreatic cancer cells. RRD-251 prevented S-phase entry, induced senescence and apoptosis, and inhibited anchorage-independent growth and invasion. [Mol Cancer Ther] Abstract The Loss of miR-26a-Mediated Post-Transcriptional Regulation of Cyclin E2 in Pancreatic Cancer Cell Proliferation and Decreased Patient Survival Researchers determined the roles of microRNA (miR)-26a in pancreatic cancer and its association with the survival of patients with pancreatic cancer. miR-26a was expressed in the cytoplasm of pancreatic ductal epithelial cells, whereas its expression was significantly downregulated in pancreatic duct adenocarcinoma tissues compared with that of adjacent benign pancreatic tissues. [PLoS One] Full Article Enhancement Effect of Dihydroartemisinin on Human γδ T Cell Proliferation and Killing Pancreatic Cancer Cells Researchers investigated the effect of dihydroartemisinin on human γδ T cell proliferation by MTT assay and killing activity against pancreatic cancer cells SW1990, BxPC-3 and PANC-1 by LDH release assay in vitro. [Int Immunopharmacol] Abstract |