Pancreatic Cell News Volume 7.43 | Nov 1 2016

TOP STORY

LKB1 Loss Links Serine Metabolism to DNA Methylation and Tumorigenesis

Investigators demonstrate that dynamic exchange between metabolism and chromatin regulation contributes to pancreatic tumorigenesis driven by mutation of the liver kinase B1 (LKB1) serine–threonine kinase. [Nature] Abstract

(Ranked by impact factor of the journal)

DIABETES & PANCREATITIS

Single-Cell Analysis Uncovers Clonal Acinar Cell Heterogeneity in the Adult Pancreas

Acinar cells make up the majority of all cells in the pancreas, yet the source of new acinar cells during homeostasis remains unknown. Using multicolor lineage-tracing and organoid-formation assays, investigators identified the presence of a progenitor-like acinar cell subpopulation. [Dev Cell] Abstract | Graphical Abstract

One Compound of Saponins from Disocorea zingiberensis Protected against Experimental Acute Pancreatitis by Preventing Mitochondria-Mediated Necrosis

Researchers determined the therapeutic effects of diosgenyl saponins from Dioscorea zingiberensis C. H. Wright using mouse pancreatic acinar cells and three clinically representative murine models of acute pancreatitis. [Sci Rep] Full Article

Resistin is Produced by Rat Pancreatic Islets and Regulates Insulin and Glucagon In Vitro Secretion

Researchers investigated the presence of resistin in pancreatic islets, and determined whether resistin influenced insulin and glucagon secretion from clonal alpha and beta cell lines and from pancreatic islets. [Islets] Abstract

PANCREATIC CANCER

KRAS-NFκB-YY1-miR-489 Signaling Axis Controls Pancreatic Cancer Metastasis

The authors showed how KRAS acts through inflammatory NF-κB signaling to activate the transcription factor YY1, which represses expression of the tumor suppressor gene miR-489. [Cancer Res] Abstract

Co-Targeting of EGF Receptor and Neuropilin-1 Overcomes Cetuximab Resistance in Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma with Integrin β1-Driven Src-Akt Bypass Signaling

Researchers report that the molecular mechanism of resistance to cetuximab in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma cells is mediated by the overexpression of active integrin β1 with downstream Src-Akt activation; this triggers an epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) ligand-independent proliferation signaling, bypassing EGFR-blocking effect. [Oncogene] Abstract

HS-173, a Novel PI3K Inhibitor Suppresses EMT and Metastasis in Pancreatic Cancer

The authors investigated whether HS-173, a novel PI3K inhibitor blocked the process of epithelial-mesenchymal transition in pancreatic cancer. [Oncotarget] Full Article

Blocking Nerve Growth Factor Signaling Reduces the Neural Invasion Potential of Pancreatic Cancer Cells

Investigators examined the molecular mechanism of the nerve growth factor signaling pathway in perineural invasion in pancreatic cancer. [PLoS One] Full Article

Linc-ROR Confers Gemcitabine Resistance to Pancreatic Cancer Cells via Inducing Autophagy and Modulating the miR-124/PTBP1/PKM2 Axis

Scientists investigated the regulation of linc-ROR on autophagy and gemcitabine resistance of pancreatic cancer cells and further studied the underlying involvement of the miR-124/PTBP1/PKM2 axis in this regulation. [Cancer Chemother Pharmacol] Abstract

How to Make Insulin-Producing Pancreatic β Cells for Diabetes Treatment

The authors summarize recent progress towards the production of β cells in vitro from pluripotent stem cells or somatic cell types including α cells, pancreatic exocrine cells, gastrointestinal stem cells, fibroblasts and hepatocytes. [Sci China Life Sci] Full Article

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

Rexahn Pharmaceuticals Receives a Notice of Allowance from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office for a Patent Covering the Manufacturing of RX-3117 — a Cancer Cell Specific Anticancer Agent

Rexahn Pharmaceuticals, Inc. announced that it has received a notice of allowance from the United States Patent and Trademark Office for a patent for claims related to the synthesis of its novel anti-cancer investigational drug candidate, RX-3117. RX-3117 is currently in stage two of a Phase Ib/IIa clinical trial in patients with metastatic pancreatic cancer. [Rexahn Pharmaceuticals, Inc.] Press Release

Gemphire Therapeutics Strengthens Intellectual Property with Granting of European Patent for Gemcabene

Gemphire Therapeutics Inc. announced that the European Patent Office has granted European Patent No. 2658536 Gemcabene and Derivatives for Treating Pancreatitis covering the use of gemcabene for decreasing the risk of developing pancreatitis in patients having a blood triglyceride level of 500 mg/dL or higher. [Gemphire Therapeutics Inc.] Press Release

PharmaCyte Biotech Requests Pre-IND Meeting with FDA for its Pancreatic Cancer Clinical Trial

PharmaCyte Biotech, Inc. announced that it has submitted a request for a pre-investigational New Drug (IND) meeting with the U. S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for its planned clinical trial in locally advanced, inoperable pancreatic cancer. [PharmaCyte Biotech, Inc. (GlobeNewswire, Inc.)] Press Release

Publisher Pulls 58 Articles by Iranian Scientists over Authorship Manipulation

A tranche of 58 articles authored by 282 Iran-based researchers were retracted by a leading scientific publisher, which said it had found signs that the peer review and publication processes had been compromised. [Nature News] Editorial

Young Scientists Ditch Postdocs for Biotech Start-Ups

There is a vanguard of young biomedical scientists who have started companies instead of taking the conventional academic path and pursuing postdoctoral studies after their PhDs. Among the factors driving this change are an infusion of money into early-stage biotech investing, the emergence of biotech incubators and the scarcity of academic jobs in science. [Nature News] Editorial

Beyond Trump vs Clinton: A Scientist’s Guide to the US Election

Choices that voters make will influence other levels of government — and some of these decisions will steer the course of science and science policy. [Nature News] Editorial

Scientific Challenges Loom for Canada’s Popular Prime Minister

Many in Canada’s science community say they are reserving judgement, waiting to see whether Trudeau can sustain his string of victories as he tackles some of country’s thorniest science-policy issues. [Nature News] Editorial

NEW 2017 European Cancer Congress
January 27-30, 2017
Amsterdam, Netherlands

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

NEW Postdoctoral Fellowship- Pancreatic Cancer Stroma Biology (University of Oslo)

NEW Postdoctoral Scholar – Diabetes Research (University of Oklahoma Health Science Center)

Postdoctoral Researcher – Type II Diabetes and Islet Biology (Lund University)

Research Associate – Cancer Therapeutics (Cancer Research UK Cambridge Institute)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Cancer and Immunometabolism (The University of Michigan)

Postdoctoral Researcher – Pancreatic Cancer (Van Andel Research Institute)>)

Postdoctoral Position – Immunology of Diabetes (INSERM)

Vice President – Pancreatic Cancer Disease Lead (Celgene Corporation)

Postdoctoral Research Fellow – Pancreas Cancer (Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center)

Assistant Scientist – Diabetes Research (University of Miami)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Pancreatic Biology (Toronto General Research Institute & McEwen Centre for Regenerative Medicine)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Pancreatic Stem Cell Biology (University of Southern California)

Recruit Top Talent: Reach potential candidates by posting your organization’s career opportunities on the Connexon Creative Job Board at no cost.

Have we missed an important article or publication in Pancreatic Cell News? Click here to submit!

Comments or suggestions? Submit your feedback here.