DIABETES & PANCREATITIS The Inactivation of Arx in Pancreatic α-Cells Triggers Their Neogenesis and Conversion into Functional β-Like Cells Combining conditional loss-of-function and lineage tracing approaches, researchers showed that the selective inhibition of the Arx gene in α-cells is sufficient to promote the conversion of adult α-cells into β-like cells at any age. [PLoS Genet] Full Article Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor Signaling Promotes Pancreatic β-Cell Proliferation in Response to Nutrient Excess in Rats through mTOR and FOXM1 The authors previously reported that a 72-hour co-infusion of glucose and Intralipid induces insulin resistance and a marked increase in β-cell proliferation in 6-month-old but not in 2-month-old Wistar rats. Here, they aimed to identify the mechanisms underlying nutrient-induced β-cell proliferation in this model. [Diabetes] Abstract Caffeic Acid, Naringenin and Quercetin Enhance Glucose Stimulated Insulin Secretion and Glucose Sensitivity in INS-1E Cells Caffeic acid, naringenin and quercetin are naturally occurring phenolic compounds present in many plants as secondary metabolites. Researchers investigated their effect on glucose stimulated insulin secretion in INS-1E cells and to explore their effect on expression of genes involved in beta cell survival and function under normoglycemic and glucotoxic conditions.[Diabetes Obes Metab] Abstract Amniotic Fluid Stem Cells Prevent β-Cell Injury The authors used a chemically induced mouse model of type 1 diabetes to determine whether amniotic fluid stem cells could play a role in modulating β-cell injury and restoring β-cell function. [Cytotherapy] Abstract Glucose Promotes Its Own Metabolism by Acting on the Cell-Surface Glucose-Sensing Receptor T1R3 To determine the role of homodimer of taste type 1 receptor 3 (T1R3) in glucose-induced insulin secretion, scientists addressed whether or not this receptor modulates glucose metabolism in MIN6 cells. They measured changes in intracellular ATP in MIN6 cells expressing luciferase. [Endocr J] Abstract | Full Article PANCREATIC CANCER O-GlcNAcylation of FoxO1 in Pancreatic β Cells Promotes Akt Inhibition through an IGFBP1-Mediated Autocrine Mechanism FoxO1 was O-GlcNAcylated in INS-1 832/13 β cells and isolated rat pancreatic islets. O-GlcNAcylation of FoxO1 resulted in a two-fold increase in its transcriptional activity toward a FoxO1 reporter gene and a 3-fold increase in the expression of the insulin-like growth factor-binding protein 1 (Igfbp1) gene at the mRNA level, resulting in IGFBP1 protein oversecretion by the cells. [FASEB J] Abstract Pancreatic Stellate Cells Promote Hapto-Migration of Cancer Cells through Collagen I-Mediated Signaling Pathway Investigators used a modified Boyden chamber assay as an in vitro model to investigate the role of pancreatic stellate cells in migration of Panc1 and UlaPaCa cells and to identify the underlying mechanisms. [Brit J Cancer] Abstract Targeting Elongation Factor-2 Kinase (eEF-2K) Induces Apoptosis in Human Pancreatic Cancer Cells Scientists showed that eEF-2K is overexpressed in pancreatic cancer (PaCa) cells and its down-regulation induces apoptotic cell death. Rottlerin, a polyphenolic compound initially identified as a PKC-δ inhibitor, induces apoptosis and autophagy in a variety of cancer cells including PaCa cells. [Apoptosis] Abstract Emetine Enhances the Tumor Necrosis Factor-Related Apoptosis-Inducing Ligand-Induced Apoptosis of Pancreatic Cancer Cells by Downregulation of Myeloid Cell Leukemia Sequence-1 Protein To investigate the mechanism underlying pancreatic cancer cell resistance to tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand, researchers performed a small scale high-throughput compound screening in AsPC-1 pancreatic cancer cells using a bioactive small molecule library. [Oncol Rep] Abstract |