Pancreatic Cell News 8.09 March 7, 2017 | |
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TOP STORYβ-Cell Inactivation of Gpr119 Unmasks Incretin-Dependence of GPR119-Mediated Glucoregulation GPR119 was originally identified as an orphan β-cell receptor however subsequent studies demonstrated that GPR119 also regulates β-cell function indirectly through incretin hormone secretion. Investigators assessed the importance of GPR119 for β-cell function in Gpr119-/- mice and in newly generated Gpr119βcell-/- mice. [Diabetes] Abstract | |
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PUBLICATIONS(Ranked by impact factor of the journal)DIABETES & PANCREATITISCFTR Is Involved in the Regulation of Glucagon Secretion in Human and Rodent Alpha Cells Cystic Fibrosis (CF) is caused by a mutation in the Cl− channel CF transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR), but whether CFTR is present in human alpha cells and regulate glucagon secretion has not been investigated in detail. Researchers found that both human and mouse alpha cells showed CFTR protein expression, whereas CFTR was absent in somatostatin secreting delta cells. [Sci Rep] Full Article Oxidative and Energetic Stresses Mediate Beta-Cell Dysfunction Induced by PGC-1α The authors aimed to determine how proliferator-activated receptor-gamma coactivator 1-alpha (PGC-1α) modifies mitochondrial function in beta cells and how it may regulate insulin secretion. They found that PGC-1α overexpression in beta cells in vivo lead to a reduced beta-cell mass early in fetal life. PGC-1α overexpression in vitro stimulated mitochondrial biogenesis and respiratory activity without improving ATP production, while also increasing oxidative stress and impairing insulin secretion in response to glucose. [Diabetes Metab] Abstract Scientists evaluated the pathophysiological relevance of advanced oxidation protein products (AOPPs) in β-cell destruction and dysfunction. Exposure of cultured rat β-cells to AOPPs induced an increase in Bax expression, caspase-3 activity, and apoptosis as well as a decrease in Bcl-2 expression in a dose- and time-dependent manner. [Lab Invest] Abstract PANCREATIC CANCERResearchers investigated the effects of lipocalin-2 (Lcn2) depletion on diet-induced obesity, inflammation and pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma development. Depletion of Lcn2 diminished extracellular matrix deposition, immune cell infiltration, pancreatic intraepithelial neoplasia formation and tumor growth. [Cancer Res] Abstract It has been previously shown that the BH3 mimetics, BH3I-2′ and HA14-1, induce Ca2+ release from intracellular stores is followed by a sustained elevation of the cytosolic Ca2+ concentration. The authors demonstrated that loss of Bax, but not B-cell lymphoma-2 or Bak, inhibits this sustained Ca2+ elevation. In the absence of Bax, thapsigargin-elicited responses were decreased; and in two-photon-permeabilized bax−/− cells, Ca2+ loss from the ER was reduced compared to WT cells. [Cell Death Dis] Full Article Researchers report that galectin-3 (Gal-3) increases MUC4 mRNA stability through an intermediate, hnRNP-L, which binds to a conserved CA repeat element in the 3′UTR in a Gal-3 dependent manner and also controls Muc4 mRNA levels in epithelial tissues of Gal3−/− mice. [Sci Rep] Full Article Furin Promotes Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition in Pancreatic Cancer Cells via Hippo-YAP Pathway The authors found that furin promotes the growth and the epithelial-mesenchymal transition of pancreatic cancer cells. They found that furin knockdown significantly inhibited proliferation, invasion and migration in BxPC3 and SW1990 cells, while furin overexpression promoted the same behavior in PANC1 and PaTu8988 cells. [Int J Oncol] Abstract Investigators identified several diarylheptanoids as anti-pancreatic cancer agents from Alpinia officinarum and Alnus japonica. These diarylheptanoids suppressed cell proliferation and induced the cell cycle arrest of pancreatic cancer cells. [Arch Pharm Res] Abstract | |
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REVIEWSImmunotherapy for Type 1 Diabetes Although many approaches have been tested to overcome the insulin dependence caused by the pancreatic β-cells destruction observed in individuals affected by type 1 diabetes (T1D), medical research has largely failed to halt the onset or to reverse T1D. The authors examine the state of the art immunotherapy and the most important achievements in the field. [J Endocrinol Invest] Abstract Visit our reviews page to see a complete list of reviews in the pancreatic cell research field. | |
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SCIENCE NEWSRegeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and Sanofi announced that new Phase III data from the Praluent® injection clinical trial program will be presented. Key data includes presentations on the effects of Praluent across several patient subsets such as diabetes, heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia, atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease and post-hoc analyses on the effect of Praluent on major cardiovascular events. [Press release from Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc. discussing research to be presented at the American College of Cardiology Scientific Sessions (ACC.17), Washington, D.C.] Press Release Novocure Announces Data Presentations Novocure announced that the results of research investigating the use of tumor treating fields in multiple solid tumor types, both as a single agent and in combination with other cancer treatments, will be presented. [Press release from Novocure discussing research to be presented at the 2017 American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) Annual Meeting, Washington, D.C.] Press Release | |
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INDUSTRY NEWSBoehringer Ingelheim announced a new collaboration with Vanderbilt University. The multi-year program complements an already existing collaboration by focusing on the research and development of small molecule compounds targeting the protein son of sevenless. This molecule activates KRAS, a molecular switch that plays a central role in the onset of some of the deadliest cancers. [Boehringer Ingelheim] Press Release NIH Awards CSUN Professor $1.46 Million to Support Breast, Pancreatic Cancer Research The National Institutes of Health (NIH) has awarded California State University, Northridge (CSUN) biology professor Jonathan Kelber $1.46 million over the next four years to support his research group in their ongoing studies of the cancer “support wall” gene called PEAK1. His research has implications for future treatment diagnosis and treatment practices for breast and pancreatic cancer patients. [California State University, Northridge] Press Release | |
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POLICY NEWSProminent British Geneticist Offers Defense in Long-Running Misconduct Investigation A leading UK academic has spoken publicly for the first time about a byzantine saga involving allegations of research misconduct in papers that stemmed from his research group at University College London. Geneticist David Latchman told Nature that although he did not scrutinize some of the papers sufficiently to detect errors, he also did not produce or directly supervise any of the images at the heart of the allegations. [Nature News] Editorial What Trump’s New Travel Ban Means for Science US President Donald Trump has signed a revised version of his controversial travel ban. The policy, issued on 6th March, exempts citizens of Iraq and people who have already been issued US visas — including those with green cards. Like the first order, which Trump signed on 27th January, the revised policy bars citizens of Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen from the US for 90 days. [Nature News] Editorial
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EVENTSNEW Mitochondrial Biogenesis and Dynamics in Health, Disease and Aging Visit our events page to see a complete list of events in the community.
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JOB OPPORTUNITIESNEW Research Positions – Mouse Genetics, Diabetes and Reprogramming (Inserm) NEW Postdoctoral Fellow – Drug Safety and Metabolism (AstraZeneca) Senior Scientist – Pancreatic Cell Research (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.) Postdoctoral Associate – Human Pancreatic Stem Cells (Nestlé) Postdoctoral Fellowship – Beta Cell Regeneration (Helmholtz Zentrum München) Lecturer/Senior Lecturer – Pancreatic Cancer (Queen Mary University of London) Postdoctoral Fellows – Cancer Epigenetics (Baylor Scott & White Research Institute) Postdoctoral Position – Pancreatic Cancer (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory) Postdoctoral Fellow – Islet Function/Regeneration (Toronto General Research Institute) Postdoctoral Associate – Pancreatic Cancer (University of Miami) Postdoctoral Research Fellow – Pancreatic Cancer (Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center) Principle Scientist – Translational Development (Celgene Corporation) Assistant Professor – Molecular Therapeutics (Dartmouth College/Geisel School of Medicine) Vice President – Pancreatic Cancer Disease Lead (Celgene Corporation) Recruit Top Talent: Reach potential candidates by posting your organization’s career opportunities on the Connexon Creative Job Board at no cost.
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Home Pancreatic Cell News Volume 8.09 | Mar 7 2017