Pancreatic Cell News Volume 5.01 | Jan 14 2014

Extra-Nuclear Activity of INSM1 Transcription Factor Enhances Insulin Receptor Signaling Pathway and Nkx6.1 Expression through RACK1 Interaction
Researchers report that the interaction of INSM1 and RACK1 is essential to enhance the insulin receptor (InR)-mediated signaling pathway. A proline-rich region in the N-terminus of INSM1 is required for RACK1 binding, which interrupts RACK1-InR interaction and enhances InR signal activation. [Cell Signal] Abstract

Effect of Substrate Rigidity in Tissue Culture on the Function of Insulin-Secreting INS-1E Cells
Scientists systematically studied the performance of INS-1E insulin-secreting cells cultured on polyacrylamide gels of different stiffnesses and analyzed changes in insulin content and secretion, glucokinase enzyme activity, gene expression of ß cell transcription factors and cell death and proliferation rates. [J Tissue Eng Regen Med] Abstract

Alteration of the MicroRNA Expression Profile during the Activation of Pancreatic Stellate Cells
Scientists examined here whether the microRNA expression profiles are altered during the activation of pancreatic stellate cells (PSCs). PSCs were activated in vitro by culture in serum-containing medium. [Scand J Gastroenterol] Abstract

The Protective Effects and Genetic Pathways of Thorn Grape Seeds Oil against High Glucose-Induced Apoptosis in Pancreatic Beta-Cells
The rattus pancreatic beta-cell line RIN-m5F was treated with/without thorn grape seeds oil (TGSO) which was extracted by supercritical carbon dioxide fluid extraction and analyzed by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. TGSO, containing 87.02% unsaturated fatty acids, significantly reduced pancreatic beta-cell apoptosis and protected the insulin secretion impaired by high glucose. [BMC Complement Altern Med]
Abstract | Full Article

PANCREATIC CANCER

Identification of Double Stranded Genomic DNA Spanning All Chromosomes with Mutated KRAS and p53 DNA in the Serum Exosomes of Patients with Pancreatic Cancer
Researchers investigated whether exosomes from pancreatic cancer cells and serum from patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma contain genomic DNA. Their results provide evidence that exosomes contain >10kb fragments of double-stranded genomic DNA. [J Biol Chem] Abstract | Press Release

Dual Specificity Protein Phosphatase 1 Is a Novel Target for Enhancing Pancreatic Cancer Cell Sensitivity to Gemcitabine
Using BxPC3 and COLO-357 human pancreatic cancer cells, scientists showed that gemcitabine activates c-JUN N-terminal kinase and p38 mitogen activated protein kinase, key kinases in two major stress-activated signaling pathways. [PLoS One] Full Article

Telomerase Inhibitor Imetelstat (GRN163L) Limits the Lifespan of Human Pancreatic Cancer Cells
Researchers defined the effects of long-term GRN163L exposure on the maintenance of telomeres and lifespan of pancreatic cancer cells. The cell lines exhibited large differences in levels of telomerase activity, but most lines had very short telomeres. [PLoS One] Full Article

MicroRNA-301b Promotes Cell Invasiveness through Targeting TP63 in Pancreatic Carcinoma Cells
Researchers analyzed the effects of enforced and inhibited expression of microRNA (miR)-301b expression in the Panc-1 and BxPC-3 cell lines. miR-301b expression levels were associated with cell invasiveness in both cell lines. [Int J Oncol] Abstract

Upregulation of miR-194 Contributes to Tumor Growth and Progression in Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma
Ectopic expression of microRNA-194 (miR-194) in PANC-1 pancreatic cancer cells enhanced cell proliferation, migration and colony formation, which was coupled with decreased expression of the tumor suppressor DACH1. [Oncol Rep] Abstract

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ERYTECH Positions Its Lead Product in Solid Tumors and Launches a Phase II Clinical Study in Pancreatic Cancer
ERYTECH Pharma provided an update on its development plans to broaden the scope of its lead product ERYASP into the large field of solid tumors and announces the launch of a Phase II study in pancreatic cancer. [ERYTECH Pharma] Press Release

US FDA Approves FARXIGA™ (Dapagliflozin) Tablets for the Treatment of Adult Patients with Type 2 Diabetes
AstraZeneca and Bristol-Myers Squibb Company announced the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved FARXIGA™ (dapagliflozin), a once-daily oral treatment indicated as an adjunct to diet and exercise to improve glycemic control in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus. [AstraZeneca] Press Release

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