Neural Cell News Volume 6.23 | Jun 13 2012

Fruitless Recruits Two Antagonistic Chromatin Factors to Establish Single-Neuron Sexual Dimorphism
Scientists showed that Fruitless forms a complex with the transcriptional cofactor Bonus, which, in turn, recruits either of two chromatin regulators, Histone deacetylase 1, which masculinizes individual sexually dimorphic neurons, or Heterochromatin protein 1a, which demasculinizes them. [Cell] Abstract

dSarm/Sarm1 Is Required for Activation of an Injury-Induced Axon Death Pathway
Researchers showed that loss of the Drosophila Toll receptor adaptor dSarm (sterile α/Armadillo/Toll-Interleukin receptor homology domain protein) cell-autonomously suppresses Wallerian degeneration for weeks after axotomy. [Science] Abstract | Press Release

Silencing MicroRNA-134 Produces Neuroprotective and Prolonged Seizure-Suppressive Effects
Silencing of microRNA-134 expression in vivo using antagomirs reduced hippocampal CA3 pyramidal neuron dendrite spine density by 21% and rendered mice refractory to seizures and hippocampal injury caused by status epilepticus. [Nat Med] Abstract

Autism Spectrum Disorder Susceptibility Gene Thousand-and-One-Amino Acid 2 Kinase (TAOK2) Affects Basal Dendrite Formation in the Neocortex
The authors describe a new pathway that specifically affects the formation of basal dendrites and axonal projections in cortical pyramidal neurons. [Nat Neurosci] Abstract

Whole-Brain Mapping of Direct Inputs to Midbrain Dopamine Neurons
The authors demonstrated that neurons in the striatum that project directly to dopamine neurons form patches in both the dorsal and ventral striatum, whereas those projecting to GABAergic neurons are distributed in the matrix compartment. [Neuron] Abstract | Press Release

Maternal Loss of Ube3a Produces an Excitatory/Inhibitory Imbalance through Neuron Type-Specific Synaptic Defects
Researchers found that there are neuron type-specific synaptic deficits in Angelman syndrome model mice, which carry a maternal Ube3a null mutation despite the presence of Ube3a in all neurons. These deficits result in excitatory/inhibitory imbalance at cellular and circuit levels and may contribute to seizure susceptibility in Angelman syndrome. [Neuron] Abstract | Press Release

Pervasive Synaptic Branch Removal in the Mammalian Neuromuscular System at Birth
Using light and serial electron microscopy, researchers showed profound refinements in motor axonal branching and synaptic connectivity before and after birth. Embryonic axons become maximally connected just before birth when they innervate ten-fold more muscle fibers than in maturity. [Neuron]
Abstract | Press Release

Analysis of Neural Subtypes Reveals Selective Mitochondrial Dysfunction in Dopaminergic Neurons from Parkin Mutants
Whether PINK1 or Parkin influence mitochondrial quality control under normal physiological conditions in dopaminergic neurons, a principal cell type that degenerates in Parkinson disease, remains unclear. To address this matter, researchers developed a method to purify and characterize neural subtypes of interest from the adult Drosophila brain. [Proc Natl Acad Sci USA] Abstract

Newron to Acquire Swedish Neurogenesis Company NeuroNova AB
Newron Pharmaceuticals S.p.A. announced that the company has signed an agreement with the key shareholders of Stockholm-based privately-owned NeuroNova AB for the acquisition of up to 100% of the shares of NeuroNova, in an all-share transaction valuing NeuroNova at €15.4 million. [Newron Pharmaceuticals S.p.A.] Press Release

TeSR™-E8™ and STEMdiff™: New Products to Advance Research on Human Pluripotent Stem Cells
STEMCELL Technologies Inc. announced its plans to release a series of new products to advance research and translational applications for human pluripotent stem cells. [STEMCELL Technologies Inc.]
Press Release

Mesoblast Provides Corporate Strategy for Product Development to Treat Neurologic Conditions
Mesoblast Limited outlined the Company’s strategic plans to develop adult stem cell therapies for neurodegenerative diseases. [Mesoblast Limited] Press Release

Minister Aglukkaq Announces New Appointment to the Governing Council of the Canadian Institutes of Health Research
The Honorable Leona Aglukkaq, Minister of Health, announced the appointment of Dr. Terry Klassen, to the Governing Council of the Canadian Institutes of Health Research for a three-year term. [Canadian Institutes of Health Research] Press Release

National Institutes of Health (United States)

Food and Drug Administration (United States)

Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research (United States)

European Medicines Agency (European Union)

Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (United Kingdom)

Therapeutic Goods Administration (Australia)

Scientist – Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells (STEMCELL Technologies, Inc.)

Scientist – Epithelial Cell Research (STEMCELL Technologies, Inc.)

Scientist – Mesenchymal Cell Research (STEMCELL Technologies, Inc.)

Business Analyst – Product Management (STEMSOFT Software, Inc.)

Research Associate – Chemistry (STEMCELL Technologies, Inc.)

Research Associate – Particle Chemistry (STEMCELL Technologies, Inc.)

Research Technologist – Contract Assay Services (STEMCELL Technologies, Inc.)

Research Technologist – Media Development (STEMCELL Technologies, Inc.)

Postdoctoral Position – GIGA-Neurosciences (University of Liège)

Postdoctoral Position – Spinal Cord Neural Stem Cells (Institute for Neurosciences of Montpellier)

Postdoctoral Position – Neurophysiology (National Institute of Neuroscience)

Molecular Neurobiology Research Associate (University of British Columbia)

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