Neural Cell News

Neural Cell News is an online resource covering the latest research in neuroscience, neural stem cells, and neurological conditions.

METTL3 Knockdown Promotes Temozolomide Sensitivity of Glioma Stem Cells via Decreasing MGMT and APNG mRNA Stability

January 25, 2023

[Cell Death Discovery] Scientists found that the cell viability and half-maximal inhibitory concentration of glioma stem cells (GSCs) against temozolomide significantly decreased after GSCs underwent serum-induced differentiation to adherent growth of tumor cells.

Targeting De Novo Lipid Synthesis Induces Lipotoxicity and Impairs DNA Damage Repair in Glioblastoma Mouse Models

January 25, 2023

[Science Translational Medicine] Investigators reported that YTX-7739 triggered lipotoxicity in patient-derived glioblastoma stem-like cells (GSCs) and inhibits fatty acid desaturation in GSCs orthotopically implanted in mice.

Human Early-Onset Dementia Caused by DAP12 Deficiency Reveals a Unique Signature of Dysregulated Microglia

January 24, 2023

[Nature Immunology] Single-nucleus RNA-sequencing analysis of brain specimens from DAP12-deficient Nasu-Hakola disease individuals revealed a unique microglia signature indicating heightened RUNX1, STAT3 and transforming growth factor-β signaling pathways that mediate repair responses to injuries.

Pyramidal Cell Types Drive Functionally Distinct Cortical Activity Patterns during Decision-Making

January 24, 2023

[Nature Neuroscience] Scientists used genetic and retrograde labeling to target pyramidal tract, intratelencephalic and corticostriatal projection neurons and measured their cortex-wide activity.

A Bio-Orthogonal Linear Ubiquitin Probe Identifies STAT3 as a Direct Substrate of OTULIN in Glioblastoma

January 24, 2023

[Nucleic Acids Research] Investigators presented a live cell-compatible bio-orthogonal strategy to capture the direct linear polyUbiquitin-modified substrates. They constructed a linear Ubiquitin (Ub)-specific probe by internally incorporating a non-canonical amino acid into Ub via genetic code expansion.

Cross-Species Transcriptomic Atlas of Dorsal Root Ganglia Reveals Species-Specific Programs for Sensory Function

January 24, 2023

[Nature Communications] The authors described a protocol for efficient isolation of dorsal root ganglion (DRG) nuclei from multiple species, provided the high-resolution, comprehensive, detailed single-nucleus transcriptome atlas of DRG from pre-clinical to human samples, and characterized the transcriptional convergence and divergence of sensory neuron subtypes from rodents to humans.

Post-transcriptional Control of a Stemness Signature by RNA-Binding Protein MEX3A Regulates Murine Adult Neurogenesis

January 24, 2023

[Nature Communications] Investigators identified RNA-binding protein MEX3A as a post-transcriptional regulator of a set of stemness-associated transcripts at critical transitions in the subependymal neurogenic lineage.

Transcriptional and Functional Effects of Lithium in Bipolar Disorder iPSC-Derived Cortical Spheroids

January 24, 2023

[Molecular Psychiatry] Since brain cortex abnormalities are strongly associated with bipolar disorder (BD), scientists specifically generated induced pluripotent stem cell-derived human cortical spheroids from healthy controls and BD patients and studied the effects of lithium treatments at the transcriptional and functional level.

Reversibility and Developmental Neuropathology of Linear Nevus Sebaceous Syndrome Caused by Dysregulation of the RAS Pathway

January 24, 2023

[Cell Reports] Scientists showed that the introduction of KRASG12V in the developing mouse cortex resulted in subcortical nodular heterotopia and enhanced excitability, recapitulating major pathological manifestations of linear nevus sebaceous syndrome.

Altered Energy Metabolism in Fatal Familial Insomnia Cerebral Organoids Is Associated with Astrogliosis and Neuronal Dysfunction

January 24, 2023

[Plos Genetics] Using CRISPR-Cas9 engineered induced pluripotent stem cells, researchers made D178N cerebral organoids and compared these with isotype control organoids.

Systematic Comparison of Culture Media Uncovers Phenotypic Shift of Primary Human Microglia Defined by Reduced Reliance to CSF1R Signaling

January 24, 2023

[Glia] Researchers studied the functional and transcriptomic impacts of such media on human microglia (hMGL). They provided a better understanding of hMGL in culture, with observations that diverge from those previously made in rodent microglia.

Cassava Sciences Announces Positive Top-Line Clinical Results in Phase II Study Evaluating Simufilam in Alzheimer’s Disease

January 24, 2023

[Cassava Sciences, Inc.] Cassava Sciences, Inc. announced positive top-line Phase II results for simufilam, its oral drug candidate for Alzheimer’s disease dementia. The study enrolled over 200 patients with mild-to-moderate Alzheimer’s disease.

Neural Cell News helps scientists keep pace with the latest research, reviews, and industry developments in neuroscience. Specific research topics include neural development and neuroregeneration, neural signaling related to cellular responses and behavior, and synaptic plasticity. Research into the diagnosis, progression, cellular characteristics, and treatment of brain diseases such as Parkinson’s, Multiple Sclerosis, Alzheimer’s, Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and various brain cancers, as well as brain damage resulting from infection, trauma, stroke, seizures, and tumors, is also covered.