Neural Cell News Volume 10.40 | Oct 12 2016

TOP STORY

Extensive Migration of Young Neurons into the Infant Human Frontal Lobe

Scientists showed that widespread neuronal migration into the human frontal lobe continues for several months after birth. Young neurons express markers of cortical inhibitory interneurons and originate outside the cortex, likely in the ventral forebrain. [Science] Abstract | Press Release | Video

(Ranked by impact factor of the journal)

Caspase-2 Cleavage of Tau Reversibly Impairs Memory

The authors describe a novel pathological process in which caspase-2 cleavage of tau at Asp314 impairs cognitive and synaptic function in animal and cellular models of tauopathies by promoting the missorting of tau to dendritic spines. [Nat Med] Abstract | Press Release

Molecular Diversity of Midbrain Development in Mouse, Human, and Stem Cells

Researchers performed single-cell RNA sequencing to examine ventral midbrain development in human and mouse. They found 25 molecularly defined human cell types, including five subtypes of radial glia-like cells and four progenitors. [Cell] Full Article | Graphicla Abstract

C9ORF72 Interaction with Cofilin Modulates Actin Dynamics in Motor Neurons

The authors determined the interactome of C9ORF72 in motor neurons and found that C9ORF72 was present in a complex with cofilin and other actin binding proteins. Phosphorylation of cofilin was enhanced in C9ORF72-depleted motor neurons, in patient-derived lymphoblastoid cells, induced pluripotent stem cell–derived motor neurons and post-mortem brain samples from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis patients. [Nat Neurosci] Abstract

Poly(GR) in C9ORF72-Related ALS/FTD Compromises Mitochondrial Function and Increases Oxidative Stress and DNA Damage in iPSC-Derived Motor Neurons

GGGGCC repeat expansions in C9ORF72 are the most common genetic cause of both ALS and FTD. The authors found that DNA damage was greater, in an age-dependent manner, in motor neurons differentiated from iPSCs of multiple C9ORF72 patients than control neurons. [Neuron] Abstract

A Regulatory Circuit of miR-125b/miR-20b and Wnt Signaling Controls Glioblastoma Phenotypes through FZD6-Modulated Pathways

Investigators report that canonical Wnt signaling that is active in proneural (PN) but inactive in mesenchymal (MES) glioblastoma (GBM), along with miR-125b and miR-20b that are expressed at high levels in PN compared with MES GBM, comprise a regulatory circuit involving TCF4-miR-125b/miR-20b-FZD6. [Nat Commun] Full Article

Astroglial-Mediated Remodeling of the Interhemispheric Midline Is Required for the Formation of the Corpus Callosum

The authors demonstrated that midline crossing of callosal axons is dependent upon the prior remodeling and degradation of the intervening interhemispheric fissure. This remodeling event is initiated by astroglia on either side of the interhemispheric fissure, which intercalate with one another and degrade the intervening leptomeninges. [Cell Rep] Full Article | Graphical Abstract | Press Release

The p53 Pathway Controls SOX2-Mediated Reprogramming in the Adult Mouse Spinal Cord

Through a series of in vivo screens, researchers showed that the p53-dependent pathway constitutes a critical checkpoint for SOX2-mediated reprogramming of resident glial cells in the adult mouse spinal cord. [Cell Rep] Full Article | Graphical Abstract | Press Release

Nanoengineering Neural Stem Cells on Biomimetic Substrates Using Magnetofection Technology

Investigators demonstrated magnetic field application safely enhances magnetic nanoparticles mediated transfection of neural stem cells grown as 3D spheroid structures in collagen which more closely replicates the intrinsic mechanical and structural properties of neural tissue than routinely used hard substrates. [Nanoscale] Abstract | Graphical Abstract

Targeted Differentiation of Regional Ventral Neuroprogenitors and Related Neuronal Subtypes from Human Pluripotent Stem Cells

Investigators report that sonic hedgehog-induced ventral neuroprogenitors under embryoid body conditions are fated to medial ganglionic eminence, while the adherent culture cells mostly adopt a floor-plate fate. [Stem Cell Reports] Full Article | Graphical Abstract

Calcium Dysregulation Contributes to Neurodegeneration in FTLD Patient iPSC-Derived Neurons

Researchers established neuronal models of frontotemporal lobar degeneration tauopathy (FTLD)-Tau by Neurogenin2-induced direct neuronal differentiation from FTLD-Tau patient induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs). They found that FTLD-Tau neurons, either with an intronic MAPT mutation or with an exonic mutation, developed accumulation and extracellular release of misfolded tau followed by neuronal death, which they confirmed by correction of the intronic mutation with CRISPR/Cas9. [Sci Rep] Full Article

Targeting Chaperones, Heat Shock Factor-1, and Unfolded Protein Response: Promising Therapeutic Approaches for Neurodegenerative Disorders

The authors describe the chaperones network and different approaches for the therapeutic targeting of neurodegenerative diseases. [Ageing Res Rev] Abstract

Multi-Compartmental Biomaterial Scaffolds for Patterning Neural Tissue Organoids in Models of Neurodevelopment and Tissue Regeneration

This article describes novel designs for functionalized biomaterial constructs that guide tissue development to targeted regional identities and structures. [J Tissue Eng] Full Article | Press Release

Visit our reviews page to see a complete list of reviews in the neural cell research field.

UAMS’ Sue Griffin Ph.D. Awarded $10 Million by NIH for Alzheimer’s Research

Sue Griffin, Ph.D., an internationally known Alzheimer’s disease researcher at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, and her team has received a five-year, $10 million grant from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to study the causes and possible treatments for Alzheimer’s disease. [University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS)] Press Release

Iowa State Nets $9.6 Million to Increase STEM Diversity, Prepare Future Faculty

Iowa State University has received nearly $10 million in funding from the National Science Foundation to improve diversity in both the professional STEM workforce and academia. [Iowa State University] Press Release

Mayo Clinic and Massachusetts Institute of Technology Receive Grant to Support Physical Sciences-Oncology Center

Mayo Clinic and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology have been awarded a five-year, $9.7 million grant from the National Cancer Institute to support a Physical Sciences-Oncology Center. Researchers hope to learn more about the physical parameters that limit drug delivery into brain tumors. [Mayo Clinic] Press Release

Grant Awards: Diversity Boost

A recruitment and retention program launched by the Howard Hughes Medical Institution in Chevy Chase, Maryland, aims to reduce barriers for women and under-represented minorities who seek academic-research careers in the life sciences. [Nature Careers] Editorial

Investors Flee as Firm Scraps RNA-Interference Drug Candidate

A prominent developer of drugs that use RNA interference has abandoned one of its leading candidates amid safety concerns — sending a fresh wave of worry through a field that has long struggled to bring treatments to market. [Nature News] Editorial

The Many Shades of European Postdoc Funding

Finding the right grant or fellowship to fund a postdoc can be a challenge, and the situation is all the more complex in Europe, where academic systems, career prospects, and living costs vary widely among countries. [Science Careers] Editorial

NEW Challenges, Solutions and Progress in Stem Cell Medicine
February 18-21, 2017
Carlsbad, California, United States

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NEW Postdoctoral Fellow – Genetic and Epigenetic Features Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s Diseases (Van Andel Research Institute)

NEW Assistant Professor – Neural Mechanisms of Motor Control (University of California – Davis)

NEW Postdoctoral Researcher – iPS & ESC Parkinson’s Disease (VIB)

NEW Postdoctoral Researcher – Neural Basis of Brain States (Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL))

Systems Neuroscientist (University of Rochester)

PhD – Neural Circuits (The International Max Planck Research School for Neural Circuits)

International PhD Studentships (Medical Research Council)

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Assistant Professor – Neural Circuits (University of Pittsburgh)

Faculty – Developmental Neurobiology (St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital)

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