Pancreatic Cell News Volume 5.22 | Jun 10 2014

SUMO1 Enhances cAMP-Dependent Exocytosis and Glucagon Secretion from Pancreatic α-Cells
Scientists sought to determine whether small ubiquitin‐like modifier‐1 (SUMO1) modulates mouse and human α-cell function. Action potentials, ion channel function, and exocytosis in single α-cells from mice and humans, identified by glucagon immunostaining, and glucagon secretion from intact islets were measured. [J Physiol] Abstract

The Novel GLP-1-Gastrin Dual Agonist, ZP3022, Improves Glucose Homeostasis and Increases Beta Cell Mass without Affecting Islet Number in db/db Mice
Researchers investigated the effect of chronic treatment with the novel glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1)-gastrin dual agonist, ZP3022, on glycemic control, beta cell mass and proliferation, and islet number. [J Pharmacol Exp Ther] Abstract

Transcription Factor Ets1 Regulates Expression of Thioredoxin-Interacting Protein and Inhibits Insulin Secretion in Pancreatic β-Cells
Researchers hypothesized that Ets1 plays an important role in mediating extracellular-regulated kinase 1/2 induced glucotoxicity in β-cells. They determined the role of Ets1 in Min6 cells and isolated mouse islets using overexpression and siRNA mediated knockdown of Ets1. [PLoS One] Full Article

Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Analog-Mediated Protection against Cholesterol-Induced Apoptosis via mTOR Activation in Pancreatic βTC-6 Cells
Scientists investigated the protective effects of the glucagon-like peptide-1 analog, liraglutide, against cholesterol-induced lipotoxicity and the underlying mechanisms. [J Diabetes] Abstract

PANCREATIC CANCER

Genetic Inactivation of the Pancreatitis-Inducible Gene Nupr1 Impairs PanIN Formation by Modulating Kras^G12D-Induced Senescence
Scientists found that genetic inactivation of nuclear protein 1 (Nupr1) in mice impairs Kras-induced pancreas intraepithelial neoplasias (PanIN), leading to an increase in β-galactosidase-positive cells and an upregulation of surrogate marker genes for senescence. [Cell Death Differ] Full Article

Biotin Uptake by Mouse and Human Pancreatic Beta Cells/Islets: A Regulated, Lipopolysaccharides-Sensitive Carrier-Mediated Process
Biotin uptake by pancreatic beta-TC-6 cells is adaptively regulated by extracellular substrate level. Chronic treatment of pancreatic beta-TC-6 cells with bacterial lipopolysaccharides leads to inhibition in biotin uptake. [Am J Physiol Gastrointest Liver Physiol] Abstract

Berberine Diminishes Side Population and Down-Regulates Stem Cell-Associated Genes in the Pancreatic Cancer Cell Lines PANC-1 and MIA PaCa-2
Researchers investigated the effect of berberine on pancreatic cancer stem cells of PANC-1 and MIA PaCa-2. For both cell lines, the proportions of side-population cells in the presence of berberine were investigated and compared to the proportions in the presence of gemcitabine, a standard pancreatic anti-cancer drug. [Mol Cell Biochem] Abstract

KAP-1 Is Overexpressed and Correlates with Increased Metastatic Ability and Tumorigenicity in Pancreatic Cancer
KAP-1 was found to be overexpressed in human pancreatic cancer, and the expression of KAP-1 correlated with clinical stage. Overexpression of KAP-1 increased the invasion and migration of Capan-2 cells in vitro. [Med Oncol] Abstract

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Thioredoxin-Interacting Protein: Regulation and Function in the Pancreatic Beta Cell
In this review, the current state of knowledge regarding regulation and function of thioredoxin-interacting protein in the pancreatic beta cell and the implications for drug development are discussed. [Mol Endocrinol] Abstract

Role of Growth Factors in Control of Pancreatic Beta Cell Mass: Focus on Betatrophin
Betatrophin is a newly described hormone, which potently stimulates beta cell replication in mice. This discovery has engendered great hope that it could prove clinically important in the treatment of type 1 and type 2 diabetes. [Curr Opin Pediatr] Abstract

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Halozyme to Resume PEGPH20 Clinical Program in Pancreatic Cancer
Halozyme Therapeutics, Inc. announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has removed the clinical hold on patient enrollment and dosing of PEGPH20 in the ongoing Phase II trial evaluating PEGPH20 in patients with pancreatic cancer permitting the study to resume under a revised protocol. [Halozyme Therapeutics, Inc.] Press Release

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Postdoctoral Fellow – Mechanisms that Drive Gastrointestinal Malignancies (Washington University School of Medicine)

Postdoctoral Fellowship – Calcium Signaling (Brigham & Women’s Hospital – Harvard Medical School)

Postdoctoral Position – Role of Calreticulin in TGF-Beta Signaling in the Kidney Proximal Tubule under Diabetic Conditions (University of Alabama)

Postdoctoral Fellowship – Diabetes (Lund University Diabetes Center)

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

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

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

Scientist – Immunology/Cell Separation (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

Research Associate – Cell Separation (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

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

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

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