Pancreatic Cell News 8.39 October 3, 2017 | |
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TOP STORYInvestigators found that islet endocrine cells from older donors displayed increased levels of transcriptional noise and potential fate drift. By determining the mutational history of individual cells, they uncovered a novel mutational signature in healthy aging endocrine cells. [Cell] Abstract | Graphical Abstract | |
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PUBLICATIONS(Ranked by impact factor of the journal)DIABETES & PANCREATITISScientists showed at the pathway level that the majority of the insulinomas displayed mutations, copy number variants and/or dysregulation of epigenetic modifying genes, most prominently in the polycomb and trithorax families. Importantly, these processes were coupled to co-expression network modules associated with cell proliferation, revealing candidates for inducing beta cell regeneration. [Nat Commun] Full Article | Press Release Researchers discovered that pancreatic extracellular vesicles (EVs) from healthy patients reduced islet amyloid polypeptide amyloid formation by peptide scavenging, but type 2 diabetes (T2D) pancreatic and human serum EVs had no effect. In accordance with these differential effects, the insulin:C-peptide ratio and lipid composition differed between EVs from healthy pancreas and EVs from T2D pancreas and serum. [Proc Natl Acad Sci USA] Full Article Beta Cell Replacement in Mice Using Human Type 1 Diabetes Nuclear Transfer Embryonic Stem Cells Investigators examined the ability of nuclear transfer embryonic stem (NT-ES) cells derived from a type 1 diabetes patient to differentiate into beta cells, and provided a source of autologous islets for cell replacement. NT-ES cells differentiated in vitro with an average efficiency of 55% into C-peptide-positive cells, expressing markers of mature beta cells, including MAFA and NKX6.1. [Diabetes] Abstract Researchers showed that in vitro exposure to low concentrations of arsenite or its trivalent methylated metabolites, methylarsonite and dimethylarsinite, inhibited glucose-stimulated insulin secretion from isolated pancreatic islets, with little effect on insulin transcription or total insulin content. [Arch Toxicol] Abstract PANCREATIC CANCERScientists proved that CXCR4 negatively regulated let-7a in pancreatic cancer cells. Let-7a was confirmed to play crucial role in tumorigenesis, metastasis and drug resistance of pancreatic cancer cells Bxpc-3 and Panc-1 in vitro and in vivo. [Cell Physiol Biochem] Full Article The authors investigated if local drug delivery combined with low dose systemic chemotherapy can increase the therapeutic effect of chemotherapy while reducing systemic toxicities. Combination of local drug patch and systemic chemotherapy led to increased tumor suppression effects that lasted longer, as well as increased survival rate. [Sci Rep] Full Article Grainyhead-Like 2 (GRHL2) Regulates Epithelial Plasticity in Pancreatic Cancer Progression Scientists explored the role of GRHL2, a suppressor of epithelial-mesenchymal transition, in the progression of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). Expressions of GRHL2 were assessed using surgically resected PDAC tissues by immunohistochemistry analysis, and in vitro using human and mouse PDAC cells. [Cancer Med] Full Article Molecular Subtype Specific Efficacy of MEK Inhibitors in Pancreatic Cancers Researchers identified predictive molecular biomarkers that can help to define subgroups where MEK inhibitors might be beneficial alone or in combination. Next-generation sequencing data of 50 genes in three pancreatic cancer cell lines were analyzed and compared to the molecular profile of 138 clinical pancreatic cancer samples to identify the molecular subtypes of pancreatic cancer these cell lines represent. [PLoS One] Full Article Investigators report that increased neurotransmitter adrenaline was associated with the poor survival in pancreatic cancer patients. They found that adrenaline promoted pancreatic cell PANC-1 migration in a dose dependent manner. [Biochem Biophys Res Commun] Abstract | |
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REVIEWSTUSC3: Functional Duality of a Cancer Gene As a part of the oligosaccharyltransferase complex, TUSC3 localizes to the endoplasmic reticulum and functions in final steps of N-glycosylation of proteins, while its loss evokes the unfolded protein response. The authors focus on cancer-related effects of TUSC3 and envisage a possible role of TUSC3 beyond endoplasmic reticulum. [Cell Mol Life Sci] Abstract Visit our reviews page to see a complete list of reviews in the pancreatic cell research field. | |
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INDUSTRY NEWS$3.3 Million Grant Funds Early Detection of Pancreatic Cancer University of California, Davis researchers, led by Julie Sutcliffe, have received a $3.3 million grant from the National Cancer Institute to advance efforts to diagnose pancreatic cancer before it spreads. [University of California, Davis] Press Release Novo Nordisk’s New Fast-Acting Mealtime Insulin Fiasp® Approved in the US Novo Nordisk announced that the FDA has approved Fiasp®, a new fast-acting mealtime insulin, for the treatment of adults with diabetes. The FDA’s decision comes after Fiasp® in clinical trials demonstrated benefits for people in need of improved overall glucose control. [Novo Nordisk] Press Release | |
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POLICY NEWSAfter Upheaval, Russian Academy of Sciences Gets New Leader After months of uncertainty, the Russian Academy of Sciences finally has a new leader. Russian President Vladimir Putin approved physicist Alexander Sergeyev as the academy’s president for the next five years. Sergeyev has vowed to secure more money for Russian science and create a fund, through a new tax on fossil fuel company profits, for upgrading the country’s antiquated research infrastructure. [ScienceInsider] Editorial Researchers Caught in Growing Rift over Catalan Independence Scientists in Catalonia are feeling the ripples of a severe crisis as the region’s bid for independence from Spain comes to a head. [ScienceInsider] Editorial French Government Proposes Big Science-Spending Boost French research funding is set for a heartening increase in the country’s first budget under President Emmanuel Macron, if draft 2018 plans are voted into law. [Nature News] Editorial How the Latest US Travel Ban Could Affect Science The latest version of US President Donald Trump’s travel ban could make it harder for researchers from several countries to enter the United States to attend scientific meetings, perform research or visit relatives. [Nature News] Editorial
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EVENTSNEW The 2018 World Stem Cell Summit (WSCS) Visit our events page to see a complete list of events in the community.
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JOB OPPORTUNITIESNEW Faculty Positions – Cancer Research (Huntsman Cancer Institute) Professor – Immunomodulation (Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München) Researcher – Cancer Biology (University of Cincinnati) Postdoctoral Fellow – Diabetes (Harvard University) Postdoctoral Research Fellow – RNA Metabolism in Pancreatic Cancer (Moffitt Cancer Center) Postdoctoral Research Position – Pancreatitis and Pancreatic Cancer (Stanford University) Faculty Position – Cancer Biology (The University of Texas Southwestern) Postdoctoral Research Scientist – Tumor Environment (Cancer Research UK Beatson Institute) Postdoctoral Position – Islet Biology (Sanofi) Postdoctoral Scientist – hPSC Differentiation into Beta Cells (Helmholtz Zentrum München) Scientist – Diabetes and Obesity (Helmholtz Zentrum München) 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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