Neural Cell News Volume 11.31 | Aug 9 2017

TOP STORY

Antipsychotic-Induced Hdac2 Transcription via NF-κB Leads to Synaptic and Cognitive Side Effects

Researchers demonstrated that chronic antipsychotic drug exposure increases nuclear translocation of NF-κB in both mouse and human frontal cortex, a trafficking event triggered via 5-HT_2A-receptor-dependent downregulation of the NF-κB repressor IκBα. Deletion of HDAC2 in forebrain pyramidal neurons prevented the negative effects of antipsychotic treatment on synaptic remodeling and cognition. [Nat Neurosci] Abstract

(Ranked by impact factor of the journal)

Epigenomic Landscapes of hESC-Derived Neural Rosettes: Modeling Neural Tube Formation and Diseases

Three-dimensional, human embryonic stem cell (hESC)-derived neural rosettes (NRs) provide a powerful resource for in vitro modeling of human neural tube formation. The authors found that folate-associated DNA methylation changes were enriched within NR regulatory elements near genes involved in neural tube formation and metabolism. [Cell Rep] Full Article | Graphical Abstract

Dynamics of RNA Polymerase II Pausing and Bivalent Histone H3 Methylation during Neuronal Differentiation in Brain Development

Scientists characterized RNA polymerase II pausing and H3K4me3/H3K27me3 marks in neural progenitor cells (NPCs) and their daughter neurons purified from the developing mouse cortex. They showed that genes paused in NPCs or neurons are characteristic of respective cellular functions important for each cell type, although pausing and pause release were not correlated with gene activation. [Cell Rep] Full Article | Graphical Abstract

Replicable Expansion and Differentiation of Neural Precursors from Adult Canine Skin

Researchers introduced a two-step culture system that generates a high yield of neural precursors from small samples of adult canine skin. They then probed their gene and protein expression profiles in comparison with dermal fibroblasts and brain-derived neural stem cells and characterized their neuronal potential. [Stem Cell Reports] Full Article

Hippocampal TERT Regulates Spatial Memory Formation through Modulation of Neural Development

Investigators showed that TERT, the catalytic subunit of telomerase, gene knockout causes extremely poor ability in spatial memory formation. Knockdown of TERT in the dentate gyrus of adult hippocampus impaired spatial memory processes, while overexpression facilitated it. [Stem Cell Reports] Full Article

The α2β2 Isoform Combination Dominates the Astrocytic Na⁺/K⁺-ATPase Activity and Is Rendered Nonfunctional by the α2.G301R Familial Hemiplegic Migraine Type 2-Associated Mutation

While transcript analysis data designate α2β2 as predominantly astrocytic, the relative quantitative protein distribution and isoform pairing remain unknown. As cultured astrocytes altered their isoform expression in vitro, scientists isolated a pure astrocytic fraction from rat brain by a novel immunomagnetic separation approach in order to determine the expression levels of α and β isoforms by immunoblotting. [Glia] Abstract

Modeling Glaucoma: Retinal Ganglion Cells Generated from Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells of Patients with SIX6 Risk Allele Show Developmental Abnormalities

To test the hypothesis that retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) are intrinsically vulnerable in glaucoma, the authors developed an in vitro model using the SIX6 risk allele carrying glaucoma patient-specific induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) for generating functional RGCs. They demonstrated that the efficiency of RGC generation by SIX6 risk allele iPSCs is significantly lower than iPSCs-derived from healthy, age-and sex-matched controls. [Stem Cells] Abstract

TGFβ Signaling Is Associated with Changes in Inflammatory Gene Expression and Perineuronal Net Degradation around Inhibitory Neurons following Various Neurological Insults

Scientists showed that comparative transcriptome analyses predict remodeling of extracellular matrix (ECM) as a common response to different types of injuries. In accordance with transcriptional responses, they found persistent degradation of protective ECM structures called perineuronal nets around fast-spiking inhibitory interneurons, in a rat model of traumatic brain injury as well as in brains of human epileptic patients. [Sci Rep] Full Article

Surface Functionalization of Nanodiamonds for Human Neural Stem Cell Adhesion and Proliferation

The interaction of nanodiamond monolayers with human neural stem cells (hNSCs) has been investigated. The effect of altering surface functionalization of nanodiamonds on hNSC adhesion and proliferation has shown that confluent cellular attachment occurs on oxygen terminated nanodiamonds (NDs), but not on hydrogen terminated NDs. [Sci Rep] Full Article

Exome Sequencing Analysis of Murine Medulloblastoma Models Identifies WDR11 as a Potential Tumor Suppressor in Group 3 Tumors

To compare the somatic mutations of murine models with human medulloblastoma (MB), the authors performed whole-exome sequencing on 12 tumors representing three distinct medulloblastoma subgroups: Wnt, Sonic Hedgehog and Group 3 (G3). Genes in the KEGG WNT signaling pathway, including Ccnd1/2/3, Myc and Tcf7l1, were down-regulated in the transcriptome of G3 MB tumorspheres overexpressing WDR11, consistent with reduced tumor progression. [Oncotarget] Full Article

Sialidase NEU3 Defines Invasive Potential of Human Glioblastoma Cells by Regulating Calpain-Mediated Proteolysis of Focal Adhesion Proteins

NEU3 mRNA levels of human glioblastoma specimens were evaluated by quantitative RT-PCR. In the human glioblastoma cell lines, NEU3 overexpression reduced invasion and migration by promoting the assembly of focal adhesions through reduced calpain-dependent proteolysis, but NEU3 silencing resulted in accelerating cell invasion via disassembly of focal adhesions. [Biochim Biophys Acta] Abstract

Neuronal Cell-Type Classification: Challenges, Opportunities and the Path Forward

Scientists review the progress of classifying cell types in the retina and cerebral cortex and propose a staged approach for moving forward with a systematic cell-type classification in the nervous system. [Nat Rev Neurosci] Abstract

Home Sweet Home: The Neural Stem Cell Niche throughout Development and after Injury

Researchers examine the interplay between the niche and stem cell behavior through aging and following injury as a means to understand intrinsic and extrinsic factors that regulate neurogenesis in vivo. [Cell Tissue Res] Abstract

Mitochondrial Health Maintenance in Axons

The author covers the basics of mitochondrial biogenesis and explains the interdependence of mitochondrial transport and mitochondrial health. The author then extrapolates recent findings in yeast and mammalian cultured cells to neurons, making a case for axonal translation as a contributor to mitochondrial biogenesis in neurons. [Biochem Soc Trans] Abstract

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

NSF Funds New Multidisciplinary Approaches to Study the Brain

The National Science Foundation (NSF) made 19 awards to cross-disciplinary teams from across the United States to conduct innovative research focused on neural and cognitive systems. Each award provides a research team with up to $1 million over two to four years. [The National Science Foundation] Press Release

$9M Grant Will Create Neurotech Research Hub at Cornell

As neuroscientists examine challenging questions about the complexities of the central nervous system, new tools to be developed will provide them with an unprecedented glimpse into the inner workings of the brain thanks to a five-year, $9 million grant from the National Science Foundation. [Cornell University] Press Release

Neuroscientist Receives Grant to Advance Understanding of Brain Structure

The National Science Foundation has awarded Kristen Harris, a professor in the Department of Neuroscience at The University of Texas at Austin, a $9 million grant to explore the brain in microscopic detail and understand the cell biology of the nervous system. [The University of Texas at Austin] Press Release

National Science Foundation Grant to Fund New Brain Research

A group of researchers from Baylor College of Medicine, Rice University, the University of Houston and Notre Dame University have been awarded a $4.3 million grant from the National Science Foundation to develop new methods to analyze and interpret neural data. [Baylor College of Medicine] Press Release

$3.3m Grant to JAX for Study of New ALS Candidate Gene

A new five-year federal research grant totaling $3,322,009 to The Jackson Laboratory (JAX) will fund studies of a new mouse model for ALS. [The Jackson Laboratory] Press Release

ASU Grad Students’ Lab Skills Help Earn Funding for Cutting-Edge Biomedical Research

Arizona State University (ASU)’s Brafman Lab is on the cutting edge of research, earning a $1.5 million grant from the National Institutes of Health to study the mechanisms of early human neurodevelopment, and $225,000 from the Arizona Biomedical Research Commission to study the effects of aging and other risk factors for Alzheimer’s disease. [Arizona State University] Press Release

Parkinson’s Foundation Announces $1.2 Million Investment to Advance Careers, Support Innovation of Early Career Parkinson’s Scientists

The Parkinson’s Foundation announced a $1.2 million investment in 27 career development and fellowship grants to support the work of promising early career scientists in the field of Parkinson’s. [National Parkinson Foundation] Press Release

Salk Neuroscientist Receives New NSF Award to Model the Brain

As part of the National Science Foundation (NSF)’s funding for new multidisciplinary approaches to neuroscience, Salk Professor Terrence Sejnowski together with the California Institute of Technology will receive over $1 million over three years to pursue advanced modeling of the brain. [Salk Institute] Press Release

Amylyx Pharmaceuticals Doses First Patient in Phase II Clinical Trial of AMX0035 for the Treatment of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis

Amylyx Pharmaceuticals, Inc., in collaboration with The ALS Association, ALS Finding a Cure^®, and the Massachusetts General Hospital, announced that the first patient was dosed in the CENTAUR study, a Phase II clinical trial assessing the efficacy and safety of AMX0035 for the treatment of ALS. [Amylyx Pharmaceuticals, Inc.] Press Release

First FDA-Approved Treatment for ALS in 22 Years Now Available in U.S.

Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma America, Inc. announced RADICAVA^™, an intravenous therapy indicated for all adult patients diagnosed with ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, is now available for treatment in the United States. [Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma America, Inc.] Press Release

Thousands across India March in Support of Science

Thousands of scientists, university students and science enthusiasts gathered in dozens of Indian cities to march in support of science — lamenting their country’s low levels of funding for research, and complaining about government promotion of ‘unscientific ideas’. [Nature News] Editorial

FDA Cracks Down on Pioneering Doctor Who Created a Three-Parent Baby

The New York-based doctor who helped a couple have a child using DNA from three people has been told by the U.S. FDA that he can’t go ahead with clinical trials meant to test the technique. [MIT Technology Review] Editorial

CRISPR Patent Battle in Europe Takes a ‘Wild’ Twist with Surprising Player

MilliporeSigma, a subsidiary of pharmaceutical giant Merck KGaA of Darmstadt, Germany, has become a new major player in the complicated European patent battles over CRISPR, the revolutionary genome-editing tool. [ScienceInsider] Editorial

NEW Stem Cell Society Singapore (SCSS) Symposium 2017
November 16-17, 2017
Singapore, Singapore

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

NEW Postdoctoral Fellow – Glioblastoma Multiforme (Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine)

NEW Postdoctoral Fellow/Associate Positions – Neuroscience (State University of New York)

Postdoctoral Fellowship Positions and Principal Investigator – Brain Tumors (University of California, San Francisco)

Postdoctoral Researchers – Glial Cells (University of California, Davis)

Faculty Scientists – Neuroscience (Cedars-Sinai Medical Center)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Neural Regeneration (Johns Hopkins University)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Stem Cell Biology and Neuroscience (University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston)

Postdoctoral Fellow Position – Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s Diseases (Brigham and Women’s Hospital)

Postdoctoral Research Fellow – Synthetic Biology/Neurobiology (University of Edinburgh)

Biomedical Engineering Faculty Position – Neural Regeneration and Functional Tissue Engineering (Pennsylvania State University)

Postdoctoral Position – Neuroscience (Max Planck Society)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Development and Function of Neural Circuits (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory)

Postdoctoral Position – Developmental Neurobiology (State University of New York)

Postdoctoral Scientist – Neural Stem Cell Biology (Institute for Neuroscience of Montpellier)

Postdoctoral Researcher – Stem Cell Differentiation (University of Oklahoma)

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.