Neural Cell News Volume 12.36 | Sep 12 2018

TOP STORY

Aberrant ERBB4-SRC Signaling as a Hallmark of Group 4 Medulloblastoma Revealed by Integrative Phosphoproteomic Profiling

Using quantitative (phospho)-proteomics in primary human medulloblastomas, investigators unraveled distinct posttranscriptional regulation leading to highly divergent oncogenic signaling and kinase activity profiles in groups 3 and 4 medulloblastomas. Specifically, proteomic and phosphoproteomic analyses identified aberrant ERBB4-SRC signaling in group 4. [Cancer Cell] Full Article | Graphical Abstract

(Ranked by impact factor of the journal)

Disruption of the β1L Isoform of GABP Reverses Glioblastoma Replicative Immortality in a TERT Promoter Mutation-Dependent Manner

Researchers showed that genetic disruption of GABPβ1L (β1L), a tetramer-forming isoform of GABP that is dispensable for normal development, results in TERT silencing in a TERT promoter mutation-dependent manner. Reducing TERT expression by disrupting β1L culminated in telomere loss and cell death exclusively in TERT promoter mutant cells. [Cancer Cell] Abstract | Press Release

A Tension-Mediated Glycocalyx-Integrin Feedback Loop Promotes Mesenchymal-Like Glioblastoma

The authors showed that a bulky glycocalyx potentiates integrin mechanosignaling and tissue tension and promotes a mesenchymal, stem-like phenotype in glioblastoma multiforme (GBMs). Gain- and loss-of-function studies implicated integrin mechanosignaling as an inducer of GBM growth, survival, invasion and treatment resistance, and a mesenchymal, stem-like phenotype. [Nat Cell Biol] Abstract

FoxO Function Is Essential for Maintenance of Autophagic Flux and Neuronal Morphogenesis in Adult Neurogenesis

Researchers found that conditional deletion of the forkhead box O transcription factors FoxO1, FoxO3, and FoxO4 strongly impaired autophagic flux in developing neurons of the adult mouse hippocampus. Moreover, FoxO deficiency led to altered dendritic morphology, increased spine density, and aberrant spine positioning in adult-generated neurons. [Neuron] Abstract | Graphical Abstract

Neuronal Heterogeneity and Stereotyped Connectivity in the Auditory Afferent System

Using single-cell RNA sequencing, scientists identified four types of spiral ganglion neurons, including three novel subclasses of type I neurons and the type II neurons, and provided a comprehensive genetic framework that define their potential synaptic communication patterns. [Nat Commun] Full Article | Press Release

Generation and Assembly of Human Brain Region-Specific Three-Dimensional Cultures

Investigators describe how to pattern neural spheroids toward either a dorsal forebrain or a ventral forebrain fate, establishing human cortical spheroids and human subpallial spheroids, respectively. [Nat Protoc] Abstract

Human iPSC-Derived Trigeminal Neurons Lack Constitutive TLR3-Dependent Immunity that Protects Cortical Neurons from HSV-1 Infection

Unlike control cortical neurons, both control and toll-like receptor 3 (TLR3)-deficient trigeminal ganglion (TG) neurons were highly susceptible to herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1). However, pretreatment of control TG neurons with poly(I:C) induced the cells into an anti-HSV-1 state. [Proc Natl Acad Sci USA] Abstract

The LKB1-SIK Pathway Controls Dendrite Self-Avoidance in Purkinje Cells

Scientists demonstrated that the LKB1-SIK kinase pathway plays a pivotal role in the self-avoidance of purkinje cell dendrites by ensuring dendritic localization of Robo2, a regulator of self-avoidance. [Cell Rep] Abstract | Graphical Abstract

Developmental Phosphoproteomics Identifies the Kinase CK2 as a Driver of Hedgehog Signaling and a Therapeutic Target in Medulloblastoma

The protein kinase CK2 emerged as a driver of hundreds of phosphorylation events during the proliferative, medulloblastoma (MB)-like stage of granule neuron precursor growth, including the phosphorylation of three of the eight proteins commonly amplified in MB. [Sci Signal] Abstract

Cell Surface N-Glycans Influence Electrophysiological Properties and Fate Potential of Neural Stem Cells

Scientists found neural stem and progenitor cells differing in fate potential express distinct patterns of glycosylation enzymes. Screening several glycosylation pathways revealed that the one forming highly branched N-glycans differs between neurogenic and astrogenic populations of cells in vitro and in vivo. [Stem Cell Reports] Full Article | Press Release

Activation of Intrinsic Growth State Enhances Host Axonal Regeneration into Neural Progenitor Cell Grafts

Rats received neural progenitor cell (NPC) grafts into spinal cord injury lesions in combination with peripheral “conditioning” lesions. Six weeks later, conditioned host sensory axons exhibited a significant, 9.6-fold increase in regeneration into the lesion/graft site compared with unconditioned axons. [Stem Cell Reports] Full Article

Matrin-3 Is Essential for Fibroblast Growth Factor 2-Dependent Maintenance of Neural Stem Cells

Small interfering RNA-mediated knockdown of matrin-3 caused neuronal differentiation of neural stem cells in vitro, and altered the cerebral layer structure of fetal brain in vivo. [Sci Rep] Full Article

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Epigenetic Modulation of Metabolism in Glioblastoma

The authors summarize DNA methylation, histone alteration, and non-coding RNA mediated epigenetic modulation of metabolism in glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) and discuss the future research directions in this area and its applications in GBM treatment. [Semin Cancer Biol] Full Article

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

University of Bristol and RUH Bath to Partner with Radboud University and the Gatsby Foundation to Carry Out a New €10 Million Parkinson’s Study

A new €10 million international trial to evaluate a new model of care that aims to improve the quality of life for people living with Parkinson’s disease will be conducted with the University of Bristol and the Royal United Hospitals Bath NHS Foundation Trust Bristol thanks to funding from The Gatsby Foundation. [University of Bristol] Press Release

New York Stem Cell Foundation Research Institute and Tufts University to Collaborate on Neurodegeneration

The New York Stem Cell Foundation Research Institute and the Tufts University Initiative for Neural Science, Disease & Engineering announced a collaborative initiative focused on deciphering the mechanisms of neurodegenerative diseases by employing a new generation of human stem-cell-based experimental technologies. [The New York Stem Cell Foundation Research Institute] Press Release

Barrow Receives Largest Grant in History to Seek Cure for Deadly Brain Cancer

Barrow Neurological Institute has initiated a $50 million effort, supported by the single largest research grant in the history of brain tumor research, to seek a cure for the deadliest form of brain cancer. [Barrow Neurological Institute (PR Newswire Association LLC.)] Press Release

FDA Approves Start of Innovative On-Ambulance Phase II Clinical Trial for Treatment of Acute Stroke by Diffusion Pharmaceuticals

Diffusion Pharmaceuticals Inc. announced that it has received FDA approval to enroll patients in an ambulance-based Phase II clinical trial testing its lead drug, trans sodium crocetinate, for the treatment of acute stroke. [Diffusion Pharmaceuticals Inc.] Press Release

Startup Spotlight: Pfizer Taps Two Neuroscience Startups for Incubator Prize

Just months after Pfizer slashed hundreds of jobs in its own neuroscience R&D program, the pharmaceutical giant is making notable investments in two Boston-based neuroscience startups. [STAT News] Editorial

FDA Official Says Trump’s New Limits on Hiring Foreign Scientists Makes It Harder to Attract Top Talent

The Trump administration’s restrictions on hiring foreign scientists are making it more difficult for the agency to attract top scientific talent, a top FDA official said. “[The policy] definitely has created an additional challenge, I think, for us,” said Melanie Keller, the FDA’s acting associate commissioner for scientific and clinical recruitment. [STAT News] Editorial

Peer Reviewers Unmasked: Largest Global Survey Reveals Trends

Scientists in developed countries provide nearly three times as many peer reviews per paper submitted as researchers in emerging nations, according to the largest ever survey of the practice. [Nature News] Editorial

NEW 2018 National Cancer Research Institute (NCRI) Cancer Conference
November 4-6, 2018
Glasgow, United Kingdom

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NEW PhD Student – Aging and Neurodegeneration (DZNE Deutsches Zentrum für Neurodegenratie Erkrankungen)

Postdoctoral Positions – Neuronal Signaling (Australian National University)

Postdoctoral Research Associate – Cell Biology of Neural Development (St Jude Children’s Research Hospital)

Assistant Professor – Systems Neuroscience (Carnegie Mellon University)

Tenure Eligible Investigator – Neurobiology (Universite Bourgogne Franche-Comté)

Postdoctoral Position – Stem Cell-Based Modeling of Psychiatric Disease (Universitat Bonn)

Postdoctoral Position – Bioinformatic Analysis of Neural Development in Nematostella (University of Bergen)

Excellence in Science PhD Scholarship Award – Neuroscience (University of Technology Sydney)

Postdoctoral Research Scientist/Fellow – Neural Development and Neurodegenerative Diseases (Columbia University)

Multiple Faculty Positions – Neuroscience and Neuroengineering (Tsinghua University)

Faculty Members – Neuroscience (Mercer University)

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