Neural Cell News Volume 10.04 | Feb 3 2016

The Hippo Signaling Pathway Maintains Quiescence in Drosophila Neural Stem Cells
Researchers report that cell-contact inhibition of growth through the canonical Hippo signaling pathway maintains neural stem cell (NSC) quiescence. Loss of the core kinases hippo or warts leads to premature nuclear localization of the transcriptional co-activator Yorkie and initiation of growth and proliferation in NSCs. [Nat Commun] Full Article

α-Synuclein–Induced Lysosomal Dysfunction Occurs through Disruptions in Protein Trafficking in Human Midbrain Synucleinopathy Models
Investigators found that α-synuclein accumulation reduced lysosomal degradation capacity in human midbrain dopamine models of synucleinopathies through disrupting hydrolase trafficking. [Proc Natl Acad Sci USA] Abstract

Inborn Errors of Long-Chain Fatty Acid β-Oxidation Link Neural Stem Cell Self-Renewal to Autism
The authors report that neural stem cell (NSC)-autonomous insufficiencies in the activity of TMLHE, of CPT1A, or of fatty acid mobilization from lipid droplets reduced NSC pools in the mouse embryonic neocortex. [Cell Rep] Full Article | Graphical Abstract | Press Release

A Synthetic Polymer Scaffold Reveals the Self-Maintenance Strategies of Rat Glioma Stem Cells by Organization of the Advantageous Niche
Scientists used polymer microarrays for the rapid and efficient identification of glioma cancer stem cell niche mimicries and identified a urethane-based synthetic polymer, upon which two groups of niche components, namely extracellular matrices and iron were revealed. [Stem Cells] Abstract

5-HT₂ Receptors Mediate Functional Modulation of GABAa Receptors and Inhibitory Synaptic Transmissions in Human iPS-Derived Neurons
Human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPS) were differentiated into cells possessing featured physiological properties of cortical neurons. Whole-cell patch-clamp recording was used to examine the involvement of 5-HT2 receptors in functional modulation of GABAergic synaptic transmission. [Sci Rep] Full Article

Reducing Central Serotonin in Adulthood Promotes Hippocampal Neurogenesis
Scientists report that lowering serotonin (5-HT) level in adulthood is able to enhance adult hippocampal neurogenesis. They used tamoxifen-induced Cre in Pet1-CreER^T2 mice to either deplete central serotonergic neurons or inactivate 5-HT synthesis in adulthood and explore the role of central 5-HT in adult hippocampal neurogenesis. [Sci Rep] Full Article

Exogenous Neural Stem Cells Transplantation as a Potential Therapy for Photothrombotic Ischemia Stroke in Kunming Mice Model
Researchers explored the transplantation of exogenous neural stem cells (NSCs) as the potential therapy for the photothrombotic ischemia stroke in a Kunming mice model. After stroke, mice receiving NSC transplantation demonstrated a better recovery of brain function during the neurobehavioral tests. [Mol Neurobiol] Abstract

Ionizing Radiation Induces Altered Neuronal Differentiation by mGluR1 through PI3K-STAT3 Signaling in C17.2 Mouse Neural Stem-Like Cells
To investigate the effects of ionizing radiation on C17.2 mouse neural stem-like cells and mouse primary neural stem cells, neurite outgrowth and expression of neuronal markers and neuronal function-related genes were examined. [PLoS One] Full Article

NGF Sensitizes TrkA SH-SY5Y Neuroblastoma Cells to TRAIL-Induced Apoptosis
Researchers report a novel pro-apoptotic function for nerve growth factor (NGF) and its tropomyosin-related kinase A (TrkA) receptor in sensitizing TNF-related apoptotis-inducing ligand (TRAIL)-resistant SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells to TRAIL-induced apoptosis, resulting in the abrogation of anchorage-independent tumorigenic growth in vitro. [Cell Death Discov] Full Article

Autophagy in Motor Neuron Disease: Key Pathogenetic Mechanisms and Therapeutic Targets
Researchers review the latest findings that highlight the involvement of autophagy in the pathogenesis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and the potential role of this pathway as a target of therapeutic purposes. [Mol Cell Neurosci] Abstract

The Role of Autophagy in Modulation of Neuroinflammation in Microglia
The authors highlight recent advances on the emerging role of autophagy in microglia, focusing on the regulation of autophagy during microglial inflammation, and the possible mechanism involved. [Neuroscience] Abstract

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

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DKK 60 Million Awarded for Four Interdisciplinary Research Projects
The Novo Nordisk Foundation has awarded grants for four interdisciplinary research projects under the Interdisciplinary Synergy Program. Each project receives up to Danish krone (DKK) 15 million per year for three years. [Novo Nordisk Foundation] Press Release

New Department of Defense Grant Funds Efforts to Treat ALS with Stem Cells
Evan Snyder, M.D., Ph.D., director of the Center for Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine and a professor in SBP’s Human Genetics Program, was awarded a grant to develop a stem cell treatment for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). [Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute] Press Release

Evotec Awarded Grant from The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research
Evotec AG announced that it has been awarded a research grant from The Michael J. Fox Foundation to further develop Evotec’s Targetalpha-synuclein programme for the treatment of Parkinson’s disease. [Evotec AG] Press Release

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

Postdoctoral Fellow Positions – Neuroscience/Neuroimmunology (Stanford University)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Neuroscience (Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience)

Postdoctoral Fellowship – Regulation/Function/Structure of the Synapse (National Institutes of Health)

Postdoctoral Fellowship – Cognitive Neurology (University Medical Center Gottingen)

Postdoctoral Fellowship – Neurobiology of Homeostasis (University of California San Francisco)

PhD Studentship – Clinical Vision & Neuroscience (University Medical Center Groningen)

Project Manager – Neurodegeneration and Stem Cell Science (Université du Luxembourg)

Group Leader – Neuroscience (Neuroscience in Bordeaux)

PhD Studentship – Various Projects (Hector Fellow Academy)

Neurogenetics Research and Clinical Genetic Counselor (Howard Hughes Medical Institute)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Pediatric Brain Cancer (Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center)

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