Pancreatic Cell News Volume 5.27 | Jul 22 2014

Progesterone Receptor Membrane Component 1 Is a Functional Part of the GLP-1 Receptor Complex in Pancreatic Beta Cells
To better understand the mechanisms that control the insulinotropic actions of glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), affinity purification and mass spectrometry (AP-MS) were employed to uncover potential proteins that functionally interact with the GLP-1R receptor (GLP-1R). AP-MS performed on Chinese hamster ovary cells or MIN6 beta cells, both expressing the human GLP-1R, revealed 99 proteins potentially associated with GLP-1R. [Mol Cell Proteomics] Abstract

A Phenylpropenoic Acid Glucoside Phytochemical Augments Pancreatic Beta Cell Mass in High-Fat Diet-Fed Mice and Protects Beta Cells from ER Stress-Induced Apoptosis
In vitro, phenylpropenoic acid glucoside protected beta cells from palmitate-induced apoptosis. It protected beta cells against endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress by increasing expression of anti-apoptotic BCL2 protein without affecting pro-apoptotic signals. [Mol Nutr Food Res] Abstract

The Melatonin Agonist Ramelteon Induces Duration-Dependent Clock Gene Expression through cAMP Signaling in Pancreatic INS-1 β-Cells
In rat INS-1 cells, a pancreatic β-cell line endogenously expressing melatonin receptors, ramelteon persistently decreased cAMP element-binding protein (CREB) phosphorylation during the treatment period, whereas the subsequent washout induced an enhancement of forskolin-stimulated CREB phosphorylation in a duration- and concentration-dependent manner. [PLoS One] Full Article

Expression of Nucleobindin 1 (NUCB1) in Pancreatic Islets and Other Endocrine Tissues
Using reverse transcription plus the polymerase chain reaction and Western blot, scientists demonstrate that NUCB1 is present in the endocrine islets of Langerhans but absent from the exocrine acinar cells. [Cell Tissue Res] Abstract

Interferon Stimulated Gene 15 Has an Anti-Apoptotic Effect on MIN6 Cells
Researchers used the mouse beta cell line MIN6 to investigate the role of interferon stimulated gene (ISG)15 and paid special attention to apoptosis. Although not detected in native MIN6 cells, free ISG15 and ISG15 conjugated proteins were both present in dose-dependently increased amounts following stimulation with interferon alpha. [Endocr J] Abstract | Full Article

PANCREATIC CANCER

Nitric Oxide Increases the Invasion of Pancreatic Cancer Cells via Activation of the PI3K-AKT and RhoA Pathways after Carbon Ion Irradiation
Irradiation of PANC-1 cells promoted invasion and production of nitric oxide, which activated the PI3K-AKT signaling pathway, while independently activating RhoA. [FEBS Lett] Full Article

Expression of Akt Kinase-Interacting Protein 1, a Scaffold Protein of the PI3K/PDK1/Akt Pathway, in Pancreatic Cancer
The expression of Akt kinase-interacting protein 1 (Aki1) and its associated proteins was assayed in pancreatic cancer cell lines, and its involvement in cell viability was examined by treatment with Aki1 small interfering RNA. All of the pancreatic cancer cell lines expressed Aki1 and its associated proteins at various levels. [Pancreas] Abstract

Transferrin Surface-Modified PLGA Nanoparticles-Mediated Delivery of a Proteasome Inhibitor to Human Pancreatic Cancer Cells
Researchers developed a drug delivery system based on poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) nanoparticles for an efficient and targeted action of the proteasome inhibitor bortezomib against pancreatic cancer cells. [J Biomed Mater Res A] Abstract

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ViaCyte Files Investigational New Drug Application and Device Master File with FDA for Novel Cell Replacement Therapy Product Candidate Designed to Treat Patients with Type 1 Diabetes
ViaCyte, Inc. announced that it has filed an investigational new drug application with the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) seeking to initiate a Phase I/II clinical trial in patients with type 1 diabetes. [ViaCyte, Inc.] Press Release

Aduro BioTech Receives Breakthrough Therapy Designation from FDA for Innovative Pancreatic Cancer Combination Immunotherapy
Aduro BioTech, Inc. announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted breakthrough therapy designation for its pancreatic cancer combination treatment that consists of its CRS-207 and GVAX pancreas immunotherapies. [Aduro BioTech, Inc. (Business Wire)] Press Release

Completion of Recruitment for Phase IIa Trial
Silence Therapeutics plc has completed the recruitment of patients for its Phase IIa trial of Atu027 in pancreatic cancer. [Silence Therapeutics plc] Press Release

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Postdoctoral Research Assistant – Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR) T-Cell Immunotherapy for Pancreatic Cancer Stem Cells (Queen Mary University of London)

Associate Director of Global Marketing – Pancreatic Cancer (Celgene Corporation)

Professorship – Molecular Mechanisms of Diabetes Pathogenesis (University of Southern Denmark)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Metabolism (University of Copenhagen)

PhD Scholarships – Diabetes (Danish Diabetes Academy)

Diabetes UK RD Lawrence Fellowships (Diabetes UK)

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

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

Scientist – Pluripotent Stem Cell Biology Endoderm Lineages (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

Scientist – Pluripotent Stem Cell Media Development, High Throughput Screening (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

Scientist – Cell Culture Support Products (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

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

Research Associate – Cell Separation (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

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