UWMDI Investigator Dr. Vincenzo Cirulli, MD, PhD, coauthors new study published in Developmental Cell identifying the myelin regulatory factor (MYRF) as an important ER membrane-associated transcription factor that promotes the maintenance of homeostasis, proliferation, and survival of well-differentiated and highly secretory pancreatic ductal adenocarcinomas (PDACs). The study, conducted in collaboration with the research teams of Dr. Giuseppe Diaferia and Dr. Gioacchino Natoli (European Institute of Oncology; IRCCS, Milano, Italy), opens new avenues for drug-targeting of MYRF in this deadly form of pancreatic cancers. Based on the known functions of this gene in regulating the balance between cell growth and differentiation, the discovery harbors significant implications also for stem cell research.
