Neural Cell News Volume 13.47 | Dec 04 2019

TOP STORY

Epigenetic Signaling in Glia Controls Presynaptic Homeostatic Plasticity

Scientists identified an essential role for the histone acetyltransferase and deubiquitinase SAGA complex in peripheral glia. They present evidence that the SAGA complex was necessary for homeostatic plasticity, demonstrating involvement of four new genes in homeostatic plasticity. [Neuron] Abstract

(Ranked by impact factor of the journal)

Structural Heterogeneity of α-Synuclein Fibrils Amplified from Patient Brain Extracts

Researchers amplified α-synuclein aggregates from Parkinson’s disease and multiple system atrophy brain extracts and analyzed the conformational properties using fluorescent probes, NMR spectroscopy and electron paramagnetic resonance. [Nat Commun] Full Article

Palmitoylation of BMPR1a Regulates Neural Stem Cell Fate

The authors used an unbiased screening approach to identify proteins that were S-acylated in mouse neural stem cells and showed that bone morphogenic protein receptor 1a (BMPR1a), a core mediator of BMP signaling, was palmitoylated. [Proc Natl Acad Sci USA] Full Article

Developmental Cytoplasmic-to-Nuclear Translocation of RNA-Binding Protein HuR Is Required for Adult Neurogenesis

Scientists showed that the ablation of RNA-binding protein HuR in neural stem cells impaired adult but not embryonic neurogenesis. HuR was predominantly expressed in the cytoplasm of embryonic neural stem cells but translocated into the nucleus of adult neural stem cells. [Cell Rep] Full Article | Graphical Abstract

Lineage Tracing Reveals the Hierarchical Relationship between Neural Stem Cell Populations in the Mouse Forebrain

Investigators showed that Oct4 expressing neural stem cells (NCNs) gave rise to neurons, astrocytes and oligodendrocytes throughout the developing brain. Further, transgenic inducible mouse models demonstrated that the rare Oct4 expressing NCNs underwent asymmetric divisions to give rise to GFAP expressing NCNs in naïve and injured brains. [Sci Rep] Full Article

Sonic Hedgehog Is Expressed by Hilar Mossy Cells and Regulates Cellular Survival and Neurogenesis in the Adult Hippocampus

The authors utilized a gene expression tracer allele of Sonic hedgehog (Shh), which allowed the identification of a subpopulation of hilar neurons known as mossy cells as a prominent and dynamic source of Shh within the dentate gyrus. [Sci Rep] Full Article

TAK1 Inhibition in Mouse Astrocyte Cultures Ameliorates Cytokine-Induced Chemokine Production and Neutrophil Migration

Researchers determined the effects of pro-inflammatory cytokine stimulation on astrocyte and microglia chemokine secretion. Primary cultures of astrocytes or microglia were stimulated with the recombinant cytokines and the levels of secreted chemokines were semi-quantitatively determined using a chemokine specific proteome profiler array and densitometry. [J Neurochem] Abstract

Matrix Metalloproteinase 7 Promoted Schwann Cell Migration and Myelination after Rat Sciatic Nerve Injury

Invsetigators exposed primary cultured Schwann cells with matrix metalloproteinase 7 (MMP7) recombinant protein and transfected siRNA against MMP7 into Schwann cells to examine the effect of exogenous and endogenous MMP7. [Mol Brain] Full Article

Changes in Cellular Prion Protein Expression, Processing and Localization during Differentiation of the Neuronal Cell Line CAD 5

Researchers monitored cellular prion protein changes during the differentiation of prion-susceptible CAD 5 cells, and then they analyzed the effect of cellular prion protein ablation on the differentiation process. Neuronal CAD 5 cells differentiated within five days of serum withdrawal, with the majority of the cells developing long neurites. [Biol Cell] Abstract

Mitochondria-Enriched Protrusions Are Associated with Brain and Intestinal Stem Cells in Drosophila

Scientists showed that quiescent neural stem cells protrusions contained clustered mitochondria that were likely maintained in position by slow forward-and-backward microtubule growth. [Commun Biol] Full Article

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

Amyloid-β-Independent Regulators of Tau Pathology in Alzheimer Disease

The authors outline novel insights from preclinical research that implicate apolipoprotein E, the endocytic system, cholesterol metabolism and microglial activation as amyloid-β-independent regulators of tau pathology. [Nat Rev Neurol] Abstract

Microglial Regional Heterogeneity and Its Role in the Brain

Scientists summarize up-to-date knowledge on regional heterogeneity of microglia in the context of their diverse neighboring neurons and other glia, and provide some insights on the potential underlying mechanisms, starting from microgliogenesis. [Mol Psychiatry] Full Article

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

BioXcel Therapeutics Prepares to Initiate Pivotal Phase III Studies with BXCL501 Following Positive End-of-Phase II Meeting with FDA

BioXcel Therapeutics announced it has reached a general agreement with the FDA on the key elements of the designs for its SERENITY program, two Phase III studies of BXCL501 for the acute treatment of agitation in patients with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. [BioXcel Therapeutics] Press Release

BridgeBio Pharma’s Origin Biosciences Initiates Rolling Submission of New Drug Application with the US FDA for BBP-870 for the Treatment of MoCD Type A

BridgeBio Pharma, Inc. subsidiary Origin Biosciences has initiated a rolling submission of a New Drug Application with the FDA for fosdenopterin for the treatment of patients with molybdenum co-factor deficiency Type A. [BridgeBio Pharma, Inc.] Press Release

Crack Down on Genomic Surveillance

Concerns about the potential downsides of governments being able to interrogate people’s DNA have been voiced since the early 2000s1 by activist groups, such as the non-profit organization GeneWatch UK, and some geneticists. [Nature News] Editorial

Elsevier Progresses in Open-Access Deal Making

The scholarly publisher has announced several new licensing agreements in both Europe and the US, but some major academic groups are still without contracts and access to journals. [The Scientist] Editorial

NEW Advances in Liquid Biopsies
January 13-16, 2020
Miami, Florida, United States

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

NEW Postdoctoral Research Position – Neural Reprogramming and Repair (Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science)

NEW Postdoctoral Research Fellow – Neural Stem Cell Genome Integrity in Brain Development and Diseases (German Cancer Research Center in the Helmholtz Association)

Assistant or Associate Professor – Neural Repair (Burke Neurological Institute)

Postdoctoral Associate – Neuron Diversity Mechanisms in Brain Development (Howard Hughes Medical Institute)

Postdocoral Studentship – Electrophysiological Methods in Neuroplasticity (The German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases)

Postdoctoral Associate – Glia and Neuron Interaction (Howard Hughes Medical Institute)

Multiple Faculty Positions – Neuroscience and Neuroengineering (Tsinghua University)

Faculty Position – Neuroimmunology (Mayo Clinic Comprehensive Cancer Center)

PhD Student – Interneuron Developmental Dynamics (Flanders Institute for Biotechnology)

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

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

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

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.