Pancreatic Cell News Volume 5.16 | Apr 29 2014

IL-6-Dependent Proliferation of Alpha Cells in Mice with Partial Pancreatic-Duct Ligation
As beta cells expand following partial pancreatic-duct ligation (PDL) in adult mice, scientists investigated whether PDL also causes alpha cells to expand and whether IL-6 signaling is involved. [Diabetologia] Abstract

Inefficient Translocation of Preproinsulin Contributes to Pancreatic Beta Cell Failure and Late Onset Diabetes
Researchers provide the first evidence that inefficient translocation of preproinsulin contributes to beta cell failure and diabetes. Specifically, they found that after targeting to the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) membrane, preproinsulin signal peptide mutants associated with autosomal dominant late-onset diabetes fail to be fully translocated across the ER membrane. [J Biol Chem] Abstract | Full Article

Distinct Cell Clusters Touching Islet Cells Induce Islet Cell Replication in Association with Over-Expression of Regenerating Gene (REG) Protein in Fulminant Type 1 Diabetes
The architectures around islet cell clusters, including basement membranes, extracellular matrix, and pancreatic acinar-like cell clusters, were studied in the non-diabetic state and in the inflamed milieu of fulminant type 1 diabetes in humans. [PLoS One] Full Article

Quantitative-Proteomic Comparison of Alpha and Beta Cells to Uncover Novel Targets for Lineage Reprogramming
Scientists compared the transcriptome, proteome, and phosphoproteome of alpha cells, beta cells, and compound-treated alpha cells. Their phosphoproteomic analysis indicated that two kinases, BRSK1 and CAMKK2, exhibit decreased phosphorylation in beta cells compared to alpha cells, and in compound-treated alpha cells compared to DMSO-treated alpha cells. [PLoS One] Full Article

PANCREATIC CANCER

miR-615-5p Is Epigenetically Inactivated and Functions as a Tumor Suppressor in Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma
Using methylated DNA immunoprecipitation-chip analysis, scientists found that microRNA (miR)-615-5p was hypermethylated in its putative promoter region, which silenced its expression in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma cell lines. In addition, the overexpression of miR-615-5p in pancreatic cancer cells suppressed cell proliferation, migration and invasion. [Oncogene] Abstract

APPL Proteins Modulate DNA Repair and Radiation Survival of Pancreatic Carcinoma Cells by Regulating ATM
Researchers showed that adaptor proteins containing pleckstrin homology domain, phosphotyrosine binding domain and a leucine zipper motif (APPL)2 expression in pancreatic cancer cells is upregulated after irradiation and that depletion of APPL proteins by small interfering RNA significantly reduced radiation survival in parallel to impairing DNA double strand break repair. [Cell Death Dis] Full Article

The Inhibition of Src Family Kinase Suppresses Pancreatic Cancer Cell Proliferation, Migration, and Invasion
The role of Src family kinase suppression was investigated in the proliferation, migration, and invasion of pancreatic cancer cells. [Pancreas] Abstract

Antitumor Activities of Rauwolfia vomitoria Extract and Potentiation of Gemcitabine Effects against Pancreatic Cancer
A ß-carboline-enriched extract from the plant Rauwolfia vomitoria induced apoptosis in pancreatic cancer cells in a concentration-dependent manner, and completely inhibited colony formation of PANC-1 cells in soft agar. [Integr Cancer Ther] Abstract

Polyserase-1/TMPRSS9 Induces Pro-Tumor Effects in Pancreatic Cancer Cells by Activation of Pro-uPA
Researchers evaluated the possible role of polyserase-1 in cancer progression. They showed that polyserase-1 increased the invasive capacities of PANC-1 and SK-PC-3 pancreatic cancer cells. [Oncol Rep] Abstract

Oncogenic KRAS Signaling in Pancreatic Cancer
The authors review recent advances in oncogenic KRAS signaling and discuss how these might benefit pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma treatment in the future. [Br J Cancer] Full Article

Visit our reviews page to see a complete list of reviews in the pancreatic cell research field.

Pancreatic Tumor-Induced Gene May Prove Beneficial as a Drug Marker
Scientists were able to represent images of pancreatic Rgs16 expression, and hence all the stages of pancreatic tumor development, quantitatively. This helped them not only lay out the progression of the disease explicitly, but also opened up a new avenue: testing drug effects on tumor growth. [Press release from Experimental Biology (EB) 2014 discussing research presented at EB 2014, San Diego] Press Release

Oramed Pharmaceuticals Presents Data from Phase IIa Trial with ORMD-0801 in Type 2 Diabetes at the 2014 Diabetes Summit
Oramed Pharmaceuticals Inc. announced detailed results from its previously completed Phase IIa trial investigating ORMD-0801, its orally ingestible insulin capsule, in type 2 diabetes patients. [Press release from Oramed Pharmaceuticals Inc. discussing research presented at the 2014 GTC Diabetes Summit, Cambridge]
Press Release

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VOKANAMET^® (Canagliflozin and Immediate Release Metformin Hydrochloride Fixed Dose Combination) Approved in the European Union for Treatment of Adults with Type 2 Diabetes
Janssen-Cilag International NV announced that the European Commission has approved VOKANAMET^® (a fixed-dose therapy combining canagliflozin and immediate release metformin hydrochloride in a single tablet) in the European Union, for the treatment of adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus to improve glycemic control. [Janssen-Cilag International NV] Press Release

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)

Therapeutic Goods Administration (Australia)

Visit our events page to see a complete list of events in the pancreatic cell community.

Postdoctoral Position – Pancreatic Cancer (CNIO – Spanish National Cancer Research Center)

Associate Academic Staff – Diagnosis, Prevention and Treatment of Diabetes (Vrije Universiteit Brussel)

Staff Scientist and Postdoctoral Fellow – Beta Cell Biology and Diabetes Research (Sanford Research/USD)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Pancreatic Cancer Research (University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio)

Postdoctoral Research Associate – Extracellular Microenvironment in Cancer (Institute of Translational Medicine, University of Liverpool)

PhD Studentship – Functional Role of MicroRNA in Vascular Complications of Diabetes (University of Edinburgh)

Postdoctoral Position – Diabetes (TAMHSC)

Senior Research Coordinator (Joslin Diabetes Center)

Diabetes Researchers – Pathway to Stop Diabetes (American Diabetes Association)

Director of GMP/GLP Quality Operations (University of Pennsylvania, Perelman School of Medicine)

Research Associate – Cell Separation (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

Research Technologist – Pluripotent Stem Cells (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

Research Technologist – Particle Chemistry (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

Research Technologist – PSC Biology and Bioengineering (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

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