Neural Cell News Volume 13.44 | Nov 13 2019

TOP STORY

Cav2.3 Channels Contribute to Dopaminergic Neuron Loss in a Model of Parkinson’s Disease

Researchers identified Cav2.3 channels as regulators of nigral neuronal viability. Cav2.3 transcripts were more abundant than other voltage-gated Ca²⁺ channels in mouse nigral neurons and upregulated during aging. [Nat Commun] Full Article

(Ranked by impact factor of the journal)

Coordinated Behavioral and Physiological Responses to a Social Signal Are Regulated by a Shared Neuronal Circuit

The authors describe a neuronal circuit that coupled the reproductive system and behavior in adult Caenorhabditis elegans hermaphrodites. They found that the response of the oogenic germline to the male pheromone required serotonin signal from NSM and HSN neurons that acted via the mod-1 receptor in AIY and RIF interneurons and was antagonized by pigment-dispersing factor. [Curr Biol] Full Article

The Axonal Membrane Protein PRG2 Inhibits PTEN and Directs Growth to Branches

Investigators found that normal axon morphogenesis involved homeostasis of elongation and branch growth controlled by accumulation of PI(3,4,5)P3 through PTEN inhibition. They identified a plasma membrane-localized protein-protein interaction of PTEN with plasticity-related gene 2 (PRG2). [Cell Rep] Full Article | Graphical Abstract

4-Hydroxy-7-Oxo-5-Heptenoic Acid Lactone Is a Potent Inducer of Brain Cancer Cell Invasiveness That May Contribute to the Failure of Anti-Angiogenic Therapies

A bioinformatics analysis of clinical cancer genomic data revealed that matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)1 and three markers of oxidative stress – superoxide dismutase 2, NADPH oxidase 4, and carbonic anhydrase 9 – were upregulated in human mesenchymal glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) cancer tissue, and that MMP1 was positively correlated to all three of these oxidative stress markers. In addition, elevated levels of MMP1 were indicative of GBM invasion, while low levels of MMP1 indicated survival. [Free Radic Biol Med] Abstract | Graphical Abstract

Artesunate Induces Mitochondria-Mediated Apoptosis of Human Retinoblastoma Cells by Upregulating Kruppel-Like Factor 6

Scientists verified that artesunate (ART) inhibited retinalblastoma cell viability and induced cell apoptosis in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Microarray analysis revealed that Kruppel-like factor 6 was upregulated after ART treatment, and this was further confirmed by real-time PCR and western blot assays. [Cell Death Dis] Full Article

Histamine H₁ Receptor on Astrocytes and Neurons Controls Distinct Aspects of Mouse Behavior

Behavioral assessment revealed significant changes and highlighted the importance of H₁ receptors on both astrocytes and neurons. H₁ receptors on both cell types played a significant role in anxiety. [Sci Rep] Full Article

Direct Conversion of Human Urine Cells to Neurons by Small Molecules

Researchers report a novel approach for the transdifferentiation of human urine cells (hUCs) into human neural cells (hNCs). They demonstrated that a combination of seven small molecules cocktail induced transdifferentiation of hUCs into hNCs. [Sci Rep] Full Article

Wnt-Notch Signaling Interactions during Neural and Astroglial Patterning of Human Stem Cells

The interactions between Wnt and Notch pathways, the two major pathways that influence neural and astroglial differentiation of human induced plueripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) individually, were investigated. In particular, the synergistic effects of Wnt-Notch pathway on the neural patterning processes along the anterior-posterior or dorsal-ventral axis of hiPSC-derived cortical spheroids were explored. [Tissue Eng Part A] Abstract

Primary Hippocampal Estrogenic Dysfunction Induces Synaptic Proteins Alteration and Neuronal Cell Death after Single and Repeated Paraquat Exposure

Investigators researched whether Paraquat (PQ) induces synaptic protein disruption, Tau and amyloid beta protein formation, oxidative stress generation, and hippocampal neuronal cell loss through anti-estrogen action in primary hippocampal neurons, after day and two weeks PQ treatment, as a probable mechanism of such learning and memory impairment. [Food Chem Toxicol] Abstract | Graphical Abstract

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B Cells in Autoimmune and Neurodegenerative Central Nervous System Diseases

The success of B cell-depleting therapy in patients with multiple sclerosis and CNS diseases with an autoantibody component, such as neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder and autoimmune encephalitides, has underscored the role of B cells in both cellular and humoral-mediated CNS conditions. Emerging evidence suggests B cells also contribute to the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer disease and Parkinson disease. [Nat Rev Neurosci] Abstract

Emerging Intersections between Neuroscience and Glioma Biology

Investigators discuss evidence that CNS development, organization and function share a number of common features with glioma progression and malignancy. These include mechanisms used by cells to proliferate and migrate, interact with their microenvironment and integrate into multicellular networks. [Nat Neurosci] Abstract

Editing the Epigenome to Tackle Brain Disorders

Development of epigenome editing tools enables a functional dissection of the link between altered epigenetic changes and disease outcomes. The authors review the development of epigenome editing tools, summarize proof of concept applications focusing on brain disease-associated genes, and discuss the promising application and challenges of epigenome editing to tackle brain disorders. [Trends Neurosci] Abstract

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Curium Announces Plan to Submit an Application to Market Generic Ioflupane I 123 Injection in the US

Curium announced that it intends to submit an abbreviated new drug application for a generic version of DaTscan™ in the US. Ioflupane I 123 Injection is a single-photon emission computed tomograph brain imaging agent used to assist in the evaluation of adult patients with suspected Parkinsonian syndromes. If approved, Curium expects to launch the product as early as the end of 2020. [Curim Pharma] Press Release

Dr. Brian Kwon Receives the Inaugural Turnbull-Tator Award in Spinal Cord Injury and Concussion Research

Dr. Brian K. Kwon has been named the recipient of the 2019 Turnbull-Tator Award in Spinal Cord Injury and Concussion Research, for his publication “Spinal cord perfusion pressure predicts neurological recovery in acute spinal cord injury” in Neurology. [The Brain Canada Foundation] Press Release

Weill Neurohub Will Unite UCSF, UC Berkeley, U of Washington to Find New Treatments for Brain Diseases

With a $106 million gift from the Weill Family Foundation, UC Berkeley, UC San Francisco (UCSF), and the University of Washington have launched the Weill Neurohub, an innovative research network that will forge and nurture new collaborations between neuroscientists and researchers working in an array of other disciplines – including engineering, computer science, physics, chemistry, and mathematics – to speed the development of new therapies for diseases and disorders that affect the brain and nervous system. [The Regents of The University of California] Press Release

Italy to Launch National Agency for Research

Just two months after Italy underwent a crisis of government and established an alliance between two leading political parties, the left-of-center Democratic Party and the anti-establishment Five Star Movement, the country has announced plans to start a National Agency for Research to help oversee the distribution of federal funds. [The Scientist] Editorial

EPA’s ‘Secret Science’ Plan Is Back, and Critics Say It’s Worse

Critics are blasting a revised Trump administration plan to give the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) broad power to ignore research results when setting public health rules if officials decide the underlying data are not adequately accessible to the public. [ScienceInsider] Editorial

The Mental Health of PhD Researchers Demands Urgent Attention

Two years ago, a student responding to Nature’s biennial PhD survey called on universities to provide a quiet room for “crying time” when the pressures caused by graduate study become overwhelming. At that time, 29% of 5,700 respondents listed their mental health as an area of concern – and just under half of those had sought help for anxiety or depression caused by their PhD study. Things seem to be getting worse. [Nature News] Editorial

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NEW Faculty Position – Neuroimmunology (Mayo Clinic Comprehensive Cancer Center)

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Faculty Positions – Neuroscience and Behavioral Disorders (Duke-NUS Medical School)

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Faculty Positions – Brain Disorders (IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research)

Assistant Professor – The Neural Basis of Behavior (Mortimer B. Zuckerman Mind Brain Behavior Institute)

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