Neural Cell News Volume 13.33 | Aug 28 2019

TOP STORY

Temporal Plasticity of Apical Progenitors in the Developing Mouse Neocortex

Researchers found that apical progenitors are temporally plastic and can re-enter past molecular, electrophysiological and neurogenic states when exposed to an earlier-stage environment by sensing dynamic changes in extracellular Wnt. By contrast, intermediate progenitors were committed progenitors that lacked such retrograde fate plasticity. [Nature] Abstract | Press Release

(Ranked by impact factor of the journal)

Targeting Glioblastoma Stem Cells through Disruption of the Circadian Clock

The authors showed that glioblastoma stem cells (GSCs), differentiated glioblastoma cells, and non-malignant brain cultures all displayed robust circadian rhythms, yet GSCs alone displayed exquisite dependence on core clock transcription factors, BMAL1 and CLOCK, for optimal cell growth. Downregulation of BMAL1 or CLOCK in GSCs induced cell cycle arrest and apoptosis. [Cancer Discov] Abstract | Press Release

ADAMDEC1 Maintains a Growth Factor Signaling Loop in Cancer Stem Cells

Researchers identified a novel signaling loop that induces and maintains glioblastoma cancer stem cells (GSCs) consisting of an atypical metalloproteinase, a disintegrin and metalloproteinase domain-like protein decysin 1 (ADAMDEC1), secreted by GSCs. ADAMDEC1 rapidly solubilized fibroblast growth factor-2 to stimulate FGF receptor 1 expressed on GSCs. [Cancer Discov] Abstract

Landscape of Ribosome-Engaged Transcript Isoforms Reveals Extensive Neuronal-Cell-Class-Specific Alternative Splicing Programs

Scientists found that neuronal transcript isoform profiles reliably distinguished even closely related classes of pyramidal cells and inhibitory interneurons in the mouse hippocampus and neocortex. [Nat Neurosci] Abstract

Sp1-Regulated Expression of p11 Contributes to Motor Neuron Degeneration by Membrane Insertion of TASK1

In the SOD1-G93A mouse model of ALS, Sp1-p11-TASK1 dysregulation contributed to increased excitability and vulnerability of motor neurons. Interference with either Sp1 or p11 was neuroprotective, delaying neuron loss and prolonging lifespan in this model. [Nat Commun] Full Article

Modulation of Actin Polymerization Affects Nucleocytoplasmic Transport in Multiple Forms of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis

Researchers showed that genetic and pharmacological modulation of actin polymerization disrupted nuclear pore integrity, nuclear import, and downstream pathways such as mRNA post-transcriptional regulation. [Nat Commun] Full Article

Structural Interaction between DISC1 and ATF4 Underlying Transcriptional and Synaptic Dysregulation in an iPSC Model of Mental Disorders

Overexpressing activating transcription factor 4 (ATF4) in control neurons recapitulated deficits seen in DISC1 mutant neurons, whereas transcriptional and synaptic deficits were rescued in DISC1 mutant neurons with CRISPR-mediated heterozygous ATF4O knockout. [Mol Psychiatry] Abstract

Regulator of Calcineurin 1 Is a Novel RNA-Binding Protein to Regulate Neuronal Apoptosis

Scientists found that R1SR13, as the RNA aptamer of regulator of calcineurin 1 (RCAN1) identified by SELEX, blocked RCAN1-induced inhibition of the nuclear factor of activated T cells and NF-κB signaling pathways, and reduced neuronal apoptosis. [Mol Psychiatry] Abstract

Ascl1 Balances Neuronal versus Ependymal Fate in the Spinal Cord Central Canal

With fate mappings and time-controlled deletions, the authors demonstrated that cerebrospinal fluid-contacting neurons derived from Ascl1-expressing cells and that Ascl1 triggered late neurogenesis in the amniote spinal cord. [Cell Rep] Full Article | Graphical Abstract

Glycine Decarboxylase Is a Transcriptional Target of MYCN Required for Neuroblastoma Cell Proliferation and Tumorigenicity

Glycine decarboxylase (GLDC) expression was markedly elevated in MYCN-amplified neuroblastoma tumors and cell lines. This transcriptional upregulation of GLDC expression was of functional significance, as GLDC depletion by RNA interference inhibited the proliferation and tumorigenicity of MYCN-amplified neuroblastoma cell lines by inducing G1 arrest. [Oncogene] Abstract

Nrf2 and SQSTM1/p62 Jointly Contribute to Mesenchymal Transition and Invasion in Glioblastoma

In glioma cell lines, both Nrf2 and p62 promoted proliferation, invasion and mesenchymal transition. Nrf2 activity was associated with decreased progression free survival in Cancer Genome Atlas glioblastoma patient samples, suggesting that treatments have limited efficacy if this transcription factor is overactivated. [Oncogene] Abstract

Subscribe to one of our other 19 science newsletters such as Cancer Stem Cell News & ESC & iPSC News.

Three-Dimensional Modeling of Human Neurodegeneration: Brain Organoids Coming of Age

The authors review current brain organoid protocols, the pathophysiology of neurodegenerative disorders, and early studies with brain organoid neurodegeneration models. They then discuss the multiple engineering and conceptual challenges surrounding their use and provide possible solutions and exciting avenues to be pursued. [Mol Psychiatry] Abstract

The Application of Human Pluripotent Stem Cells to Model the Neuronal and Glial Components of Neurodevelopmental Disorders

Scientists review the extant literature that has used induced pluripotent stem cells-based modeling to understand the neuronal and glial contributions to neurodevelopmental disorders including autism spectrum disorder, Rett syndrome, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia. [Mol Psychiatry] Abstract

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

Ivy Brain Tumor Center and Salarius Pharmaceuticals Launch Collaborative Partnership to Develop New Cancer Treatment for Glioblastoma

The Ivy Brain Tumor Center announced a collaborative partnership to test Salarius’ therapeutic candidate, Seclidemstat, for the treatment of glioblastoma. The organizations will launch what they believe is the most comprehensive pre-clinical study to date, evaluating the effect of targeting lysine-specific histone demethylase 1A, a key enzyme that has increased expression in tumors of brain cancer patients. [The Ivy Brain Tumor Center] Press Release

Worldwide Clinical Trials Works with Orphazyme to Complete Recruitment of Phase III Trial in ALS

Orphazyme A/S announced the completion of enrollment to its Phase III trial of arimoclomol in ALS. ORARIALS-01 is a multi-center, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group trial, which evaluates the efficacy and safety of arimoclomol over a 76-week treatment period. [Orphazyme A/S (Business Wire, Inc.)] Press Release

Phase III Clinical Trial Evaluating Continuous Subcutaneous Carbidopa/Levodopa (ND0612) Initiated in the United States for Parkinson’s Disease with Motor Fluctuations

Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma America, Inc. announced the initiation of the Phase III BouNDless study investigating the efficacy, safety and tolerability of ND0612, a potential non-surgical, subcutaneous continuous treatment, compared to oral immediate-release carbidopa/levodopa in people with Parkinson’s disease experiencing motor fluctuations. [Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma America, Inc.] Press Release

Kyowa Kirin Announces FDA Approval of NOURIANZ^™ (Istradefylline) for Use in Parkinson’s Disease

Kyowa Kirin Co., Ltd. announced that the FDA has granted approval for NOURIANZ^™for use as adjunctive treatment to levodopa/carbidopa in adult patients with Parkinson’s disease experiencing “OFF” episodes. [Kyowa Kirin Co., Ltd. (Business Wire, Inc.)] Press Release

Australia Plans to Tackle Foreign Influence at Nation’s Universities

In response to growing concerns in Australia about foreign influence at universities, cyberspying, and a perceived erosion of freedom of speech on campuses, the country’s education minister announced that a new task force will develop “best-practice guidelines for dealing with foreign interference.” [ScienceInsider] Editorial

Memo to Italy’s President: Your Researchers Need You

Italy’s coalition government ended abruptly, when the nationalist Lega party of deputy prime minister Matteo Salvini announced that it was walking away from its turbulent coalition with the anti-establishment M5S party, known as the Five Star Movement. The collapse is of great concern: a much-delayed funding increase is now on hold, and the political uncertainty adds further threat. [Nature News] Editorial

NSF Graduate Fellowships Disproportionately Go to Students at a Few Top Schools

As this year’s eligible students begin to labor over their applications, it’s worth asking why certain schools come away with dozens of winners each year—and what that means about the academy at large. [ScienceInsider] Editorial

NEW European Cancer (ECCO) Summit 2019
September 12-14, 2019
Brussels, Belgium

Visit our events page to see a complete list of events in the community.

NEW Assistant Professor – Neurobiology (University of California, Berkeley)

Scientific Communications Coordinator (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

Postdoctoral Research Associate – Neural Stem Cell Research (St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital)

PhD Position – Neuroproteomics and Brain Organoids (University of Southern Denmark)

Associate Research Scientist – Brain Research (Mortimer B. Zuckerman Mind Brain Behavior Institute)

Tenure-Track Assistant Professor – Cognitive Neuroscience (Lawrence University of Wisconsin)

Postdoctoral Fellowship – Neurogenesis & Neural Cell Aging (Lund University)

Postdoctoral Fellowship – Bioinformatics & Neurogenesis (Lund University)

Postdoctoral Fellowship – Reprogramming Glioblastoma (Lund University)

Postdoctoral Scientist – Glioma Organoids (Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey)

Recruit Top Talent: Reach potential candidates by posting your organization’s career opportunities on the Connexon Creative Job Board at no cost.

Have we missed an important article or publication in Neural Cell News? Click here to submit!

Comments or suggestions? Submit your feedback here.