Neural Cell News Volume 13.34 | Sep 4 2019

TOP STORY

Membrane-Associated Periodic Skeleton Is a Signaling Platform for RTK Transactivation in Neurons

The authors observed that G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), cell adhesion molecules (CAMs), receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs), and related signaling molecules were recruited to the membrane-associated periodic skeleton in response to extracellular stimuli, resulting in colocalization of these molecules and RTK transactivation by GPCRs and CAMs, giving rise to extracellular signal-regulated kinase signaling. [Science] Abstract

(Ranked by impact factor of the journal)

Complex Oscillatory Waves Emerging from Cortical Organoids Model Early Human Brain Network Development

Scientists developed human cortical organoids that dynamically changed cellular populations during maturation and exhibited consistent increases in electrical activity over the span of several months. The spontaneous network formation displayed periodic and regular oscillatory events that were dependent on glutamatergic and GABAergic signaling. [Cell Stem Cell] Abstract | Editorial | Graphical Abstract

Single-Cell Transcriptomics in Medulloblastoma Reveals Tumor-Initiating Progenitors and Oncogenic Cascades during Tumorigenesis and Relapse

Utilizing single-cell transcriptomic analysis, researchers demonstrated a developmental hierarchy of progenitor pools in Sonic Hedgehog medulloblastomas, and identified OLIG2-expressing glial progenitors as transit-amplifying cells at the tumorigenic onset. [Cancer Cell] Abstract | Graphical Abstract

Tanycytes Regulate Lipid Homeostasis by Sensing Free Fatty Acids and Signaling to Key Hypothalamic Neuronal Populations via FGF21 Secretion

Scientists observed that tanycytes produced and secreted Fgf21 and are located close to Fgf21-sensitive neurons. Fasting, likely via the increase in circulating fatty acids, regulated this central Fgf21 production. [Cell Metab] Abstract | Graphical Abstract

Inducing Different Neuronal Subtypes from Astrocytes in the Injured Mouse Cerebral Cortex

Nuclear receptor-related 1 protein and neurogenin 2 resulted in high-efficiency reprogramming of targeted astrocytes into neurons that developed lamina-specific hallmarks, including the appropriate long-distance axonal projections. [Neuron] Full Article | Graphical Abstract

PTEN Suppresses Glycolysis by Dephosphorylating and Inhibiting Autophosphorylated PGK1

The authors demonstrated that PTEN directly interacted with phosphoglycerate kinase 1 (PGK1). PGK1 functioned not only as a glycolytic enzyme but also as a protein kinase intermolecularly autophosphorylating itself at Y324 for activation. Analyses of human glioblastoma specimens revealed that PGK1 Y324 phosphorylation levels inversely correlated with PTEN expression status and were positively associated with poor prognosis in glioblastoma patients. [Mol Cell] Abstract | Graphical Abstract

Oligodendrocyte Precursor Cells Present Antigen and Are Cytotoxic Targets in Inflammatory Demyelination

The authors report that oligodendrocyte precursor cell (OPC) differentiation was inhibited by both effector T cells and IFNγ overexpression by astrocytes. IFNγ also reduced the absolute number of OPCs and altered remaining OPCs by inducing the immunoproteasome and MHC class I. [Nat Commun] Full Article

RBM3 Promotes Neurogenesis in a Niche-Dependent Manner via IMP2-IGF2 Signaling Pathway after Hypoxic-Ischemic Brain Injury

Scientists showed how RNA-binding motif protein 3 (RBM3) stimulated neuronal differentiation and inhibited hypoxic ischemia (HI)-induced apoptosis in the two areas of persistent adult neurogenesis, the subventricular zone and the subgranular zone (SGZ), while promoting neural stem/progenitor cell proliferation after HI injury only in the SGZ. [Nat Commun] Full Article

Addiction Associated N40D mu-Opioid Receptor Variant Modulates Synaptic Function in Human Neurons

Investigators generated homozygous N40D subject-specific induced inhibitory neuronal cells from seven human-induced pluripotent stem cell lines from subjects of European descent and probed the impact of N40D µ-opioid receptor regulation on synaptic transmission. [Mol Psychiatry] Abstract

Nmnat Restores Neuronal Integrity by Neutralizing Mutant Huntingtin Aggregate-Induced Progressive Toxicity

Researchers showed that in Drosophila models of Huntington’s disease, neuronal compartment-specific accumulation of mutant Huntingtin aggregates caused neurodegenerative phenotypes. [Proc Natl Acad Sci USA] Abstract

The Role of MicroRNA-148a and Downstream DLGAP1 on the Molecular Regulation and Tumor Progression on Human Glioblastoma

Researchers showed that miR-148a promoted the proliferation and growth of glioblastoma (GBM) cells both in vitro and in vivo, and also induced the migration, invasion, and epithelial-mesenchymal transition program of GBM cells by directly targeting DLGAP1. [Oncogene] Abstract

Astrocytes Are Direct Cellular Targets of Lithium Treatment: Novel Roles for Lysyl Oxidase and Peroxisome-Proliferator Activated Receptor-γ as Astroglial Targets of Lithium

Scientists demonstrated that astrocytes were direct targets of lithium and identified unique astroglial transcriptional networks that regulated specific molecular changes in astrocytes associated with bipolar disorder and schizophrenia, together with Alzheimer’s disease [Transl Psychiatry] Full Article

Dynamical Electrical Complexity Is Reduced during Neuronal Differentiation in Autism Spectrum Disorder

Minimum embedding dimension (MED) was associated with clinical endpoints, such as nonverbal intelligence, and was correlated with 53 differentially expressed genes, which were overrepresented with autism spectrum disorder risk genes related to neurodevelopment, cell morphology, and cell migration. [Stem Cell Reports] Full Article | Graphical Abstract

Subscribe to one of our other 19 science newsletters such as Cancer Stem Cell News & ESC & iPSC News.

Mouse vs Man: Organoid Models of Brain Development & Disease

The authors discuss recent work showing how mice and mouse organoids can be employed to complement studies using human organoids. Mouse stem cell-derived organoids are useful for the development of improved protocols to generate organoids, including brain region-specific organoids. [Brain Res] Abstract

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

Genmab’s Partner for Ofatumumab, Novartis, Reports that Ofatumumab Demonstrates Superiority versus Teriflunomide in Two Head-to-Head Phase III Multiple Sclerosis Studies

Genmab A/S announced that its partner for ofatumumab, Novartis, reported positive results for ofatumumab from the Phase III ASCLEPIOS I and II studies. [Genmab A/S] Press Release

NIH Launches Novel Nationwide Search for Neuroprotective Stroke Therapies

Seven labs will work together, as part of the Stroke Preclinical Assessment Network, to employ rigorous, clinical research practices, like randomization and blinding, while assessing the effectiveness of six potential neuroprotective therapies in reducing ischemic brain injury. [National Institutes of Health] Press Release

Emalex Biosciences Receives FDA Fast Track Designation for Ecopipam for the Treatment of Patients with Tourette Syndrome

Emalex Biosciences, Inc. announced that it has received Fast Track designation for its investigational product, ecopipam, from the FDA for the treatment of patients with Tourette Syndrome. [Emalex Biosciences, Inc.] Press Release

As Hurricane Dorian Bears Down, Researchers Get Ready

For the fourth consecutive year, scientists in Florida are preparing for a major hurricane, laying down sandbags and boarding up windows at research facilities along the state’s Atlantic coast. [ScienceInsider] Editorial

Foreign Interference under the Spotlight at Australian Universities

The Australian government says it will establish an expert committee to detect and respond to cyberattacks, intellectual-property theft and other strikes against universities by foreign governments or groups. The move comes amid growing concerns from some politicians and academics about foreign influence at Australian campuses. [Nature News] Editorial

NEW Cancer Evolution and Combinatorial Cancer Therapies: Concepts and Challenges
January 19-23, 2020
Banff, Alberta, Canada

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

NEW Postdoctoral Researcher – Brain Organoids and Neurodegeneration Research (DZNE)

NEW Postdoctoral Researcher – Neural Research (Flanders Institute for Biotechnology)

Scientific Communications Coordinator (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

Assistant Professor – Neurobiology (University of California, Berkeley)

Postdoctoral Research Associate – Neural Stem Cell Research (St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital)

Associate Research Scientist – Brain Research (Mortimer B. Zuckerman Mind Brain Behavior Institute)

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)

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.