Pancreatic Cell News 8.30 August 1, 2017 | |
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TOP STORYLong-Sought Mechanism of Metastasis Is Discovered in Pancreatic Cancer Cells, just like people, have memories. They retain molecular markers that at the beginning of their existence helped guide their development. Cells that become cancerous may be making use of these early memories to power their ability to metastasize, or spread to distant sites in the body, newly published research reveals. [Press release from Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory discussing online prepublication in Cell] Press Release | Abstract | Graphical Abstract | |
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PUBLICATIONS(Ranked by impact factor of the journal)DIABETES & PANCREATITISInduction of IAPP Amyloid Deposition and Associated Diabetic Abnormalities by a Prion-Like Mechanism Although a large proportion of patients with type 2 diabetes accumulate misfolded aggregates composed of the islet amyloid polypeptide (IAPP), its role in the disease is unknown. Researchers showed that pancreatic IAPP aggregates can promote the misfolding and aggregation of endogenous IAPP in islet cultures obtained from transgenic mouse or healthy human pancreas. [J Exp Med] Abstract | Editorial Using the INS1-832/13 β-cell line, investigators demonstrated that palmitate generates the reactive oxygen species (ROS) required for mitochondrial fission by activating NADPH oxidase-2. They showed that chemical inhibition, RNAi-mediated silencing and knockout of ROS-sensitive transient receptor potential melastatin-2 channels prevents palmitate-induced mitochondrial fission. [Cell Death Differ] Full Article Scientists transplanted islet-cell clusters (ICCs) into the subcutaneous space of diabetic mice and evaluated the viability of the islets at the transplantation site. In an hypoxic environment, ICCs exhibited improved viability and functionality compared with control islets. [FASEB J] Abstract Researchers assessed the importance of endogenous apoptosis repressor with CARD (ARC) in maintaining islet structure and function in vivo. While generalized loss of ARC did not result in detectable abnormalities, its absence in ob/ob mice, a model of type 2 diabetes, induced a striking pancreatic phenotype: marked β-cell death, loss of β-cell mass, derangements of islet architecture, and impaired glucose-stimulated insulin secretion in vivo. [Sci Rep] Full Article The authors investigated the effect of Korean red ginseng extract (KRGE) on autophagy modulated by oxidative stress. In mice with tacrolimus-induced diabetes mellitus, KRGE alleviated islet dysfunction and decreased oxidative stress and autophagic vacuoles. In vitro, KRGE decreased autophagosome formation and attenuated lysosomal degradation, accompanied by improved beta cell viability and insulin secretion. [Lab Invest] Abstract The Role of Tumor Suppressor PDCD4 in Beta Cell Death in Hypoxia Changes in programmed cell death gene 4 (PDCD4) expression have previously been linked with beta cell neogenesis and function. Scientists investigated the effects of hypoxia on cell viability, PDCD4 expression and subcellular localization. [PLoS One] Full Article PANCREATIC CANCERInvestigators examined (R,R’)-4′-methoxy-1-naphthylfenoterol ((R,R’)-MNF)’s effect on glycolysis in PANC-1 cells and tumors. Global NMR metabolomics was used to elucidate differences in the metabolome between untreated and (R,R’)-MNF-treated cells. [Int J Cancer] Abstract Targeted cancer therapy provides the basis for the arrest of tumor growth in aggressive pancreatic carcinoma, however, a number of protein-based targeted toxins lack efficacy due to insufficient endosomal escape after being endocytosed. Researchers tested a fusion protein of the ribosome-inactivating protein dianthin and human epidermal growth factor in combination with a glycosylated triterpene (SO1861) that serves as an endosomal escape enhancer. [Mol Oncol] Full Article | |
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REVIEWSLong Non-Coding RNAs as Novel Players in β Cell Function and Type 1 Diabetes Researchers highlight emerging roles of long non-coding RNAs in immune and islet β cell function as well as some of the challenges and opportunities in understanding the pathogenesis of type 1 diabetes and its complications. [Hum Genomics] Full Article Tumor Organoids as a Pre-Clinical Cancer Model for Drug Discovery Scientists highlight what is currently known about tumor organoid culture, the advantages and challenges of the model system, compare it with other pre-clinical cancer models, and evaluate its value for drug development. [Cell Chem Biol] Abstract Visit our reviews page to see a complete list of reviews in the pancreatic cell research field. | |
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INDUSTRY NEWSNew SU2C-Lustgarten Foundation Research Team Aims to Apply CAR T-Cell Therapy to Pancreatic Cancer Stand Up To Cancer (SU2C) is supporting a new translational research team to explore how a type of immunotherapy that has been very successful in blood cancers can be applied to pancreatic cancer, the American Association for Cancer Research, SU2C’s Scientific Partner, announced. [Stand Up To Cancer] Press Release ViaCyte, Inc. announced that the first patients have been implanted with the PEC-Direct™ product candidate, a novel islet cell replacement therapy in development as a functional cure for patients with type 1 diabetes who are at high risk for acute life-threatening complications. [ViaCyte, Inc.] Press Release | |
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POLICY NEWSChina Cracks Down after Investigation Finds Massive Peer-Review Fraud A massive peer-review fraud has triggered a tough response from the Chinese government. Officials announced that more than 400 researchers listed as authors on some 100 now-retracted papers will face disciplinary action because their misconduct has seriously damaged China’s scientific reputation. [ScienceInsider] Editorial University of Tokyo Probe Says Chromosome Team Doctored Images After a nearly year-long investigation into anonymous allegations of data and image falsification in numerous papers, a University of Tokyo committee announced it had confirmed that one research group falsified images and graphs in five papers. The panel cleared five other research groups of wrongdoing. [ScienceInsider] Editorial Why Would a University Pay a Scientist Found Guilty of Misconduct to Leave? In June 2016, investigators at the University of Georgia in Athens concluded that Azza El-Remessy, a faculty member who studied the impact of diabetes on the eye, had committed misconduct and recommended she be terminated. El-Remessy hired a lawyer to dispute the findings, but the following October she gave up her challenge after the university paid her $100,000—essentially to leave. [ScienceInsider] Editorial
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EVENTSNEW AACR-NCI-EORTC Molecular Targets & Cancer Therapeutics Visit our events page to see a complete list of events in the community.
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JOB OPPORTUNITIESNEW Postdoctoral Position – Immunology (Harvard Medical School) NEW Faculty Positions – Diabetes, Obesity, and Metabolism (University of Pittsburgh) Postdoctoral Research Scientist – Mechanisms of Obesity and Diabetes (NYU Langone Medical Center) Postdoctoral Researcher – Obesity and Diabetes (University of Iowa) Assistant Professor – Metabolic Disorders (UmeÃ¥ University) Senior Scientific Officer – Pancreatic Cancer (Cancer Research UK Beatson Institute) Group Leader – Cancer Research (University of Lille) Postdoctoral Research Fellow – Pancreatic Cancer (Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center) 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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