Pancreatic Cell News Volume 5.47 | Dec 16 2014

Rfx6 Maintains the Functional Identity of Adult Pancreatic β Cells
Scientists show that Rfx6, whose mutation leads to neonatal diabetes in humans, is essential to maintain key features of functionally mature β cells in mice. [Cell Rep] Full Article | Graphical Abstract

RFX6 Regulates Insulin Secretion by Modulating Ca²⁺ Homeostasis in Human β Cells
Researchers demonstrate the presence of RFX6 in adult human pancreatic endocrine cells. Using the recently developed human β cell line EndoC-βH2, they show that RFX6 regulates insulin gene transcription, insulin content, and secretion. [Cell Rep] Full Article | Graphical Abstract

PED/PEA-15 Inhibits Hydrogen Peroxide-Induced Apoptosis in Ins-1E Pancreatic Beta-Cells via PLD-1
Researchers investigated PED/PEA-15 role in hydrogen peroxide-induced apoptosis in Ins-1E beta-cells. In pancreatic islets isolated from Tg_PED/PEA-15 mice hydrogen peroxide-induced DNA fragmentation was lower compared to wild type islets. [PLoS One] Full Article

Autologous Islet Transplantation with Remote Islet Isolation after Pancreas Resection for Chronic Pancreatitis
Scientists investigated outcomes from a single institutional case series of near-total or total pancreatectomy and autologous islet transplantation using remote islet isolation. [JAMA Surg] Abstract

PANCREATIC CANCER

MicroRNA-206 Functions as a Pleiotropic Modulator of Cell Proliferation, Invasion and Lymphangiogenesis in Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma by Targeting ANXA2 and KRAS Genes
Researchers found microRNA (miR)-206 to be abrogated in human pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) specimens and cell lines. They show that miR-206 directly targets the oncogenes KRAS and annexin a2 (ANXA2), thereby acting as tumor suppressor in PDAC cells by blocking cell cycle progression, cell proliferation, migration and invasion. [Oncogene] Full Article

Apurinic/Apyrimidinic Endonuclease/Redox Factor-1 (APE1/Ref-1) Redox Function Negatively Regulates NRF2
Ref-1 has emerged as a promising therapeutic target in cancer, particularly in pancreatic ductal carcinoma. Scientists demonstrate that repression of Ref-1 potently activates nuclear factor-erythroid-related factor 2 (NRF2) and its downstream targets in a dose-dependent fashion, and that the redox, rather than the DNA repair function of Ref-1 is critical for this effect. [J Biol Chem] Abstract | Full Article

Dose-Dependent AMPK-Dependent and Independent Mechanisms of Berberine and Metformin Inhibition of mTORC1, ERK, DNA Synthesis and Proliferation in Pancreatic Cancer Cells
Scientists show that treatment of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma cells with the isoquinoline alkaloid berberine inhibited DNA synthesis and proliferation of these cells and delay the progression of their cell cycle in G1. [PLoS One] Full Article

Neurotrophic Factor Artemin Promotes Invasiveness and Neurotrophic Function of Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma In Vivo and In Vitro
Overexpression of artemin in pancreatic cancer cell lines improved colony formation, cell migration, matrigel invasion, and neurotrophic activity in vitro. [Pancreas] Full Article

Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma: From Genetics to Biology to Radiobiology to Oncoimmunology and All the Way Back to the Clinic
Scientists examine the knowledge of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma genetics and the new insights into human genome sequencing and clonal evolution. Additionally, the biology and the role of the stroma in tumor progression and response to treatment is presented. [Biochim Biophys Acta] Abstract

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BC Cancer Agency Researchers Co-Lead $60 Million National Initiative for Innovative Cancer Treatments
BC Cancer Agency researchers will play a key role in the first Network of Centres of Excellence devoted to cancer research with a $25 million commitment from the Government of Canada and an additional $35 million from partners across the country. [The BC Cancer Agency] Press Release

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Postdoctoral Research Associate – Bioengineering (Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center)

Research Assistants – Diabetes & Metabolism (Garvan Institute of Medical Research)

Postdoctoral Researcher – Chromatin and Epigenetic Regulation (Van Andel Research Institute)

Postdoctoral Position – Cancer Drug Delivery (University of Tartu)

Postdoctoral Position – Endothelial Dysfunction and Diabetes (Weill Cornell Medical College in Qatar)

Associate or Full Professor – Pediatric Diabetes and Metabolic Disease (University of California San Diego)

Postdoctoral Fellowship Position – Obesity and Diabetes Pathogenesis (NIDDK / NIH)

Research Technologist – Media Development (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

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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