Neural Cell News 13.29 July 31, 2019 | |
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TOP STORYInvestigators performed an integrative analysis of chromatin interactions, open chromatin regions and transcriptomes using promoter capture Hi-C, assay for transposase-accessible chromatin with high-throughput sequencing and RNA sequencing, respectively, in four functionally distinct neural cell types: induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-induced excitatory neurons and lower motor neurons, iPSC-derived hippocampal dentate gyrus-like neurons and primary astrocytes. [Nat Genet] Abstract | |
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PUBLICATIONS(Ranked by impact factor of the journal)Scientists performed a genetic screen for regulators of RAN translation and identified small ribosomal protein subunit 25 (RPS25), presenting a potential therapeutic target for C9orf72-related amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and frontotemporal dementia and other neurodegenerative diseases caused by nucleotide repeat expansions. [Nat Neurosci] Abstract The authors found that maladaptive changes in A2AR expression were associated with a decrease in GLT‐I expression as a possible precipitator for apoptotic cell loss in Rasmussen encephalitis. [Brain Pathol] Abstract Investigators showed that Akt phosphorylated NQO1 at T128 residues and triggered its polyubiquitination and proteasomal degradation, abrogating its anti-oxidative effects in Parkinson’s disease. Akt bound NQO1 in a phosphorylation-dependent manner. [J Neurosci] Abstract Using genetically-engineered human iPSC-derived neurons, researchers found that sodium-dependent potassium currents are increased several-fold in neurons bearing a homozygous P924L mutation. [J Neurosci] Abstract The authors showed that human PTEN C-terminal PDZ interactions played a critical role in neuronal apoptosis and axon regeneration after traumatic CNS injury and stroke, highlighted by the findings that antagonizing the PDZ-motif interactions of PTEN had therapeutic applicability for these indications. [Cell Death Dis] Full Article Transcriptome analysis combined with pattern analysis of calcium signals appeared as a tool to discriminate between schizophrenia and autism spectrum disorder phenotypes in vitro. [Transl Psychiatry] Full Article In Vivo Direct Reprogramming of Glial Lineage to Mature Neurons after Cerebral Ischemia The reprogrammed cells first expressed neuronal progenitor marker Dcx 7 and 21 days after viral injection, then expressed mature neuronal marker NeuN. This was accompanied by morphological changes, including long processes and synapse-like structures, 49 days after viral injection. [Sci Rep] Full Article MicroRNA Profiling during Neural Differentiation of Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells Investigators discovered upregulation of miR-10 family, miR-30 family and miR-9 family and downregulation of miR-302 and miR-515 family expression. They showed that miR-10 family played a crucial role in the negative regulation of genes expression belonging to signaling pathways involved in neural differentiation: WNT signaling pathway, focal adhesion, and signaling pathways regulating pluripotency of stem cells. [Int J Mol Sci] Full Article Scientists revealed that pregestational diabetes mellitus dramatically impaired the developmental switch of neural stem cells from neurogenesis to gliogenesis, principally under the cooperative mediation of neuropoietic cytokine CNTF and nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2)-like 2 (Nrf2) antioxidative signaling. [iScience] Abstract | Full Article | Graphical Abstract Subscribe to one of our other 19 science newsletters such as Cancer Stem Cell News & ESC & iPSC News. | |
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REVIEWSApolipoprotein E and Alzheimer Disease: Pathobiology and Targeting Strategies Scientists review the recent progress in clinical and basic research into the role of apolipoprotein E (APOE) in Alzheimer disease (AD) pathogenesis. They also discuss how APOE can be targeted for AD therapy using a precision medicine approach. [Nat Rev Neurol] Abstract Visit our reviews page to see a complete list of reviews in the neural cell research field. | |
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INDUSTRY NEWSThe Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson announced positive top-line results from the Phase III OPTIMUM study, which evaluated the efficacy and safety of ponesimod compared to Aubagio® in adults with relapsing MS. [The Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies] Press Release Alterity Therapeutics Announces Successful Completion of Phase I Clinical Trial Alterity Therapeutics Limited announced that it has successfully completed its Phase I study of PBT434, a novel, orally bioavailable small molecule inhibitor of alpha-synuclein aggregation. Alpha-synuclein, when aggregated in the brain, is a pathological hallmark of Parkinsonian conditions and is considered an important biologic target for treating these neurodegenerative diseases. [Alterity Therapeutics Limited] Press Release Epygenix Therapeutics Receives IND Approval of EPX-100 for the Treatment of Dravet Syndrome Epygenix Therapeutics, Inc. announced that the company has received an Investigational New Drug Application (IND) approval from the FDA for the treatment of patients with Dravet syndrome. [Epygenix Therapeutics, Inc. (PR Newswire Association LLC)] Press Release Parkinson’s Foundation Grants $8 Million to Further Parkinson’s Research The Parkinson’s Foundation announced the institutions that will receive $8 million in research funding to design and launch Parkinson’s-specific research studies over the next four years. [The Parkinson’s Foundation] Press Release | |
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POLICY NEWSChina’s CRISPR Push in Animals Promises Better Meat, Novel Therapies, and Pig Organs for People China now has at least four groups of CRISPR researchers doing gene editing with large colonies of monkeys. “The most startling part of what is coming out of China is seeing how they have just a brute-force approach,” says reproductive biologist Jon Hennebold at the Oregon National Primate Research Center in Hillsboro. “The level of animal support they have to do those experiments is really astounding.” [ScienceInsider] Editorial UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s Hardline Brexit Stance Stokes Fears for Scientists Boris Johnson, a charismatic and incautious politician with scant public views on science, became U.K. prime minister last week. He immediately packed his Cabinet with ministers pledging to exit the European Union by a 31 October deadline, even without a deal in place for an amicable divorce—the “no-deal Brexit” that economists predict would cause a recession and scientists say would cause additional hardships for research. [ScienceInsider] Editorial
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JOB OPPORTUNITIESNEW Postdoctoral Associate – Cerebral Organoids (Weill Cornell Medicine) Scientific Communications Coordinator (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.) Tenure-Track Assistant Professor – Cognitive Neuroscience (Lawrene University of Wisconsin) Early Stage Researchers – Multiple Sclerosis Research (National University of Ireland Galway) Postdoctoral Fellowship – Neurogenesis & Neural Cell Aging (Lund University) Postdoctoral Fellowship – Bioinformatics & Neurogenesis (Lund University) Postdoctoral Fellowship – Reprogramming Glioblastoma (Lund University) Postdoctoral Scientist – Glioma Organoids (Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey) Research Lab Specialist – Tumor Microenvironment & Cell Behavior (University of Southern California) Postdoctoral Researcher – Retinal Stem Cell Biology (NIH National Eye Institute) Postdoctoral Researcher – Brain Cancer Research (University of Alabama at Birmingham) Recruit Top Talent: Reach potential candidates by posting your organization’s career opportunities on the Connexon Creative Job Board at no cost.
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