title: Pancreatic cancer-derived S-100A8 N-terminal peptide: a diabetes cause?
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Our aim was to identify the pancreatic cancer diabetogenic peptide.
  
  
  METHODS
  Pancreatic tumor samples from patients with (n=15) or without (n=7) diabetes were compared with 6 non-neoplastic pancreas samples using SDS-PAGE.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A band measuring approximately 1500 Da was detected in tumors from diabetics, but not in neoplastic samples from non-diabetics or samples from non-neoplastic subjects. Sequence analysis revealed a 14 amino acid peptide (1589.88 Da), corresponding to the N-terminal of the S100A8. At 50 nmol/L and 2 mmol/L, this peptide significantly reduced glucose consumption and lactate production by cultured C(2)C(12) myoblasts. The 14 amino acid peptide caused a lack of myotubular differentiation, the presence of polynucleated cells and caspase-3 activation.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The 14 amino acid peptide from S100A8 impairs the catabolism of glucose by myoblasts in vitro and may cause hyperglycemia in vivo. Its identification in biological fluids might be helpful in diagnosing pancreatic cancer in patients with recent onset diabetes mellitus.
authors: Department of Laboratory Medicine, University of Padua, Via Giustiniani 2, 35128 Padova, Italy.
authors: Daniela
authors: D
authors: Basso
authors: Eliana
authors: E
authors: Greco
authors: Paola
authors: P
authors: Fogar
authors: Piero
authors: P
authors: Pucci
authors: Angela
authors: A
authors: Flagiello
authors: Goretta
authors: G
authors: Baldo
authors: Silvia
authors: S
authors: Giunco
authors: Anna
authors: A
authors: Valerio
authors: Filippo
authors: F
authors: Navaglia
authors: Carlo-Federico
authors: CF
authors: Zambon
authors: Alessandra
authors: A
authors: Falda
authors: Sergio
authors: S
authors: Pedrazzoli
authors: Mario
authors: M
authors: Plebani