Neural Cell News Volume 14.12 | Apr 01 2020

TOP STORY

Mitochondria-Endoplasmic Reticulum Contacts in Reactive Astrocytes Promote Vascular Remodeling

Scientists showed that acute injury and blood-brain barrier disruption triggered the formation of a prominent mitochondrial-enriched compartment in astrocytic endfeet, which enabled vascular remodeling. [Cell Metab] Abstract | Graphical Abstract

(Ranked by impact factor of the journal)

The Loss of TBK1 Kinase Activity in Motor Neurons or in All Cell Types Differentially Impacts ALS Disease Progression in SOD1 Mice

Researchers showed that mice bearing human amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)-associated TBK1 missense loss-of-function mutations, or mice in which the Tbk1 gene was selectively deleted in motor neurons, did not display a neurodegenerative disease phenotype. [Neuron] Abstract | Graphical Abstract

ECE2 Regulates Neurogenesis and Neuronal Migration During Human Cortical Development

Investigators showed that manipulation of endothelin-converting enzyme-2 (ECE2) levels in human cerebral organoids and in the developing mouse cortex led to ectopic localisation of neural progenitors and neurons. [EMBO Rep] Full Article | Graphical Abstract

NvPOU4/Brain3 Functions as a Terminal Selector Gene in the Nervous System of the Cnidarian Nematostella vectensis

Morphological analyses of NvPOU4 mutants crossed to transgenic reporter lines showed that the loss of NvPOU4 did not affect the initial specification of neural cells. [Cell Rep] Full Article | Graphical Abstract

Cortical Neural Stem Cell Lineage Progression Is Regulated by Extrinsic Signaling Molecule Sonic Hedgehog

The authors provide evidence for the molecular mechanism that underlied a switch in the state of neocortical neural stem cells (NSCs). They showed that, at around E16.5, mouse neocortical NSCs started to generate GSX2-expressing intermediate progenitor cells. [Cell Rep] Full Article | Graphical Abstract

Preclinical Toxicology of rQNestin34.5v.2, an Oncolytic Herpes Virus with Transcriptional Regulation of the ICP34.5 Neurovirulence Gene

rQNestin34.5v.2 dephosphorylated eIF-2α in human glioma cells, but not in human normal cells, resulting in significantly higher cytotoxicity and viral replication in the former compared to the latter. [Mol Ther Methods Clin Dev] Abstract | Graphical Abstract

Disease-Associated Synaptic Scaffold Protein CNK2 Modulates PSD Size and Influences Localisation of the Regulatory Kinase TNIK

Scientists investigated the role of connector enhancer of kinase suppressor of Ras 2 (CNK2) in neurons in order to contribute to the understanding of how CNK2 alterations might cause developmental defects, and they have elucidated a functional role for CNK2 in the molecular processes that govern morphology of the postsynaptic density. [Sci Rep] Full Article

PABPC5/HCG15/ZNF331 Feedback Loop Regulate Vasculogenic Mimicry of Glioma via STAU1-Mediated mRNA Decay

PABPC5 and HCG15 were highly expressed in glioma cells. ZNF331 was lowly expressed. PABPC5 bound HCG15 to increase its stability. [Mol Ther Oncolytics] Abstract | Graphical Abstract

TRBFOX1 Regulates the Permeability of the Blood-Tumor Barrier via LINC00673/MAFF Pathway

Researchers found RBFOX1 was downregulated in glioma vascular endothelial cells derived from glioma tissues, and in glioma endothelial cells obtained by co-culturing endothelial cells with glioma cells. [Mol Ther Oncolytics] Abstract | Graphical Abstract

Inositol Pyrophosphate Metabolism Regulates Presynaptic Vesicle Cycling at Central Synapses

Scientists found that presynaptic release probability was significantly increased in Ip6k1-knockout neurons, implying enhanced activity-dependent synaptic vesicle exocytosis. Expression of wild-type but not catalytically inactive IP6K1 in the Ip6k1-knockout hippocampus restored the altered presynaptic release probability. [iScience] Abstract | Graphical Abstract

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

Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Drugs for Alzheimer’s Disease: Current Evidence and Therapeutic Opportunities

The authors provide a comprehensive overview of the effects of a total of 14 individual drugs (among which are seven type 2 diabetes mellitus drug types) against Alzheimer’s disease. [Trends Mol Med] Abstract

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

NeuBase Therapeutics Announces Positive, Preclinical Data Validating its Novel Genetic Therapy PATrOL^™ Platform

NeuBase Therapeutics, Inc. announced positive pre-clinical data from its pharmacokinetics studies in non-human primates and in vitro pharmacodynamics data in patient-derived cell lines. [NeuBase Therapeutics, Inc.] Press Release

ImStem Biotechnology Announces FDA Has Lifted the Clinical Hold on the Investigational New Drug Application for IMS001 for the Treatment of Multiple Sclerosis

ImStem Biotechnology, Inc. announced that the FDA has lifted the clinical hold and cleared the Investigational New Drug application to evaluate IMS001 for the treatment of multiple sclerosis. [ImStem Biotechnology (PR Newswire Association LLC)] Press Release

Cull, Release or Bring Them Home: Coronavirus Crisis Forces Hard Decisions for Labs with Animals

As universities scale back operations and scientists observe stay-at-home orders, many are struggling to protect their research and the animals that power it. [Nature News] Editorial

Tens of Thousands of Scientists Are Redeploying to Fight Coronavirus

As labs shut down around the world, researchers are finding creative ways to donate their time, supplies and expertise. [Nature News] Editorial

In light of COVID-19, many conferences are being cancelled or postponed. As such:

We are suspending new event postings in our newsletters and on Twitter.
We will strive to keep our current event listings updated with event status.
We encourage you to visit event sites directly for updates.

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

NEW Research Technologist – Cancer Pain Treatment (Johns Hopkins University)

NEW Postdoctoral Position – Neuroimmunology (LMU University Hospital Munich)

NEW Postdoctoral Position – iPSC Models in Neurodegeneration (Flanders Institute for Biotechnology)

Assistant Professor – Department of Neuroscience (Univeristy of Padua Department of Neusciences)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Developmental Neuroscience (Children’s National Hospital)

Research Assistant – Cerebral Organoids (Weill Cornell Medicine College)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Neuroscience Research (University of North Carolina at Charlotte)

Associate Professor – Visual Neuroscience (Dalhousie University)

Postdoctoral Associate – Neuron Diversity Mechanisms in Brain Development (Howard Hughes Medical Institute)

Faculty Positions – Brain Disorders (IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research)

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.