Pancreatic Cell News Volume 6.28 | Jul 21 2015

MLL3 and MLL4 Methyltransferases Bind to the MAFA and MAFB Transcription Factors to Regulate Islet β-Cell Function
Knockdown of NCOA6, a core subunit of these methyltransferases, reduced expression of a subset of MAFA and MAFB target genes in mouse and human β-cell lines. [Diabetes] Abstract

The Zinc Transporter Slc30a8/ZnT8 Is Required in a Subpopulation of Pancreatic α Cells for Hypoglycemia-Induced Glucagon Secretion
To investigate the role of Slc30a8 in the control of glucagon secretion, Slc30a8 was inactivated selectively in α cells by crossing mice with alleles floxed at exon 1 to animals expressing Cre recombinase under the pre-proglucagon promoter. Further crossing to Rosa26:tdRFP mice, and sorting of RFP⁺: glucagon⁺ cells from KO mice, revealed recombination in ca. 30% of α cells, of which ca. 50% were ZnT8 negative. [J Biol Chem] Abstract | Full Article

Effect of Prolonged Exposure to Sublethal Concentrations of DDT and DDE on Protein Expression in Human Pancreatic Beta Cells
To detect functional areas of pancreatic beta cells that could be affected by exposure to dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) and dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene (DDE), scientists analyzed changes in protein expression in the NES2Y human pancreatic beta cell line exposed to three sublethal concentrations of DDT and DDE for 1 month. [Environ Res] Abstract

Pax4 Expression Does Not Transduce Pancreatic Alpha Cells to Beta Cells
The authors generated an adeno-associated virus carrying Pax4 and GFP under a CMV promoter (AAV-Pax4). They used AAV-Pax4 to transduce a mouse alpha cell line in vitro, and to transduce primary alpha cells in diabetic mice. [Cell Physiol Biochem] Abstract

Novel Pentapeptide GLP-1(32-36) Amide Inhibits β-Cell Apoptosis In Vitro and Improves Glucose Disposal in Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Mice
To determine the protective effects of glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1)(32-36) amide on INS-1 cell viability and apoptosis, cells were exposed to 1μM streptozotocin and GLP-1(32-36) amide for 24 hours. Researchers showed that GLP-1(32-36) amide treatment decreased apoptosis rate and significantly retained cell viability compared with saline-treated controls. [Chem Biol Drug Des] Abstract

PANCREATIC CANCER

Enhanced Phosphorylation of p53 by MicroRNA-26a Leading to Growth Inhibition of Pancreatic Cancer
Scientists examined whether microRNA-26a treatment can restore wild-type functions of mutant p53 via phosphorylation, resulting in inhibition of cell growth. The human pancreatic cancer cell line BxPc-3 harboring mutant p53 was used for colony formation, cell-cycle, and Western blotting assays. [Surgery] Abstract

Combinative Effects of β-Lapachone and APO866 on Pancreatic Cancer Cell Death through Reactive Oxygen Species Production and PARP-1 Activation
Investigators showed that β-lapachone tremendously enhances the antitumor activity of APO866 on various pancreatic cancer cell lines without affecting normal cells, in a PARP-1 dependent manner. [Biochimie] Abstract

Phytochemical Properties and Anti-Proliferative Activity of Olea europaea L. Leaf Extracts against Pancreatic Cancer Cells
Water, 50% ethanol and 50% methanol extracts of Corregiola and Frantoio variety Olea europaea L. leaves were investigated for their total phenolic compounds, total flavonoids and oleuropein content, antioxidant capacity and anti-proliferative activity against MiaPaCa-2 pancreatic cancer cells. [Molecules]
Abstract | Download Full Article

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Alefacept Helps Preserve Function of Insulin-Producing Cells in Type 1 Diabetes
Results from a clinical trial sponsored by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases suggest that the immune-suppressing drug alefacept helps preserve function of insulin-producing beta cells in people with newly diagnosed type 1 diabetes. [National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases] Press Release

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

Research Associate – Cell Separation (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

Postdoctoral Research Scientist – Disease Gene Regulation (Wellcome Trust Centre for Human Genetics)

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

Postdoctoral Fellowship – Pancreatic Beta Cell Biology and Regeneration, Relating to Diabetes (Mount Sinai School of Medicine)

Postdoctoral Fellowship – Immunopathogenesis of Type 1 Diabetes (Tongji Medical College)

PhD Student – Diabetes (Danish Diabetes Academy)

Research Associate – Cancer Therapeutics (University of Cambridge)

Postdoctoral Position – Adipocyte Development (German Institute of Human Nutrition)

Postdoctoral Research Associate – Type 1 Diabetes and Other Autoimmune Diseases (Benaroya Research Institute at Virginia Mason)

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