Neural Cell News Volume 14.03 | Jan 29 2020

TOP STORY

Four Glial Cells Regulate ER Stress Resistance and Longevity via Neuropeptide Signaling in C. elegans

Researchers expressed the constitutively active unfolded protein response of the endoplasmic reticulum (UPR^ER) transcription factor, XBP-1s, in a subset of astrocyte-like glia, which extended the life span in Caenorhabditis elegans. [Science] Abstract

(Ranked by impact factor of the journal)

Chromatin Accessibility Dynamics in a Model of Human Forebrain Development

Scientists used high-throughput sequencing in combination with RNA-sequencing to map the epigenetic and gene expression signatures of neuronal and glial cell lineages over 20 months in vitro. [Science] Abstract

Astrocytic trans-Differentiation Completes a Multicellular Paracrine Feedback Loop Required for Medulloblastoma Tumor Growth

Investigators found that astrocytes within the tumor microenvironment were trans-differentiated from tumor granule neuron precursors, which normally never differentiate into astrocytes. [Cell] Abstract | Graphical Abstract

SorCS2 Is Required for Social Memory and Trafficking of the NMDA Receptor

Scientists documented that SorCS2, a member of the family of the Vps10 family of sorting receptors, was highly expressed in pyramidal neurons of CA2, a circuit implicated in social memory. SorCS2 specifically localized to the postsynaptic density and endosomes within dendritic spines of CA2 neurons. [Mol Psychiatry] Abstract

Serotonergic Afferents from the Dorsal Raphe Decrease the Excitability of Pyramidal Neurons in the Anterior Piriform Cortex

Researchers used pharmacologic, optogenetic, and fiber photometry techniques to examine the serotonergic modulation of neural activity in the anterior piriform cortex in vitro and in vivo. [Proc Natl Acad Sci USA] Abstract

TAG-1 Multifunctionality Coordinates Neuronal Migration, Axon Guidance, and Fasciculation

Investigators found that the motor neuron cell surface protein TAG-1 anchored motor neuron cell bodies in the spinal cord to prevent their emigration, mediated motor axon fasciculation during central nervous system exit, and guided motor axons past dorsal root ganglia. [Cell Rep] Full Article | Graphical Abstract

Circuit Integration Initiation of New Hippocampal Neurons in the Adult Brain

Using retroviral and live-imaging methods, researchers found that new neurons underwent neurite remodeling for competitive horizontal-to-radial repositioning in the dentate gyrus prior to circuit integration. [Cell Rep] Full Article | Graphical Abstract

Polycomb-Mediated Repression of EphrinA5 Promotes Growth and Invasion of Glioblastoma

Integrated transcriptomic and epigenomic analyses of glioblastoma initiating cells in a mouse model uncovered a novel epigenetic regulation of EfnA5. EfnA5 mediated Bmi1-dependent proliferation and invasion in vitro and tumor formation in an allograft model. [Oncogene] Full Article

cGMP Favors the Interaction between APP and BACE1 by Inhibiting Rab5 GTPase Activity

The authors investigated the mechanism by which cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) regulated the subcellular localization of amyloid precursor protein (APP) and beta-secretase (BACE1), finding that the cyclic nucleotide inhibited the activity of Rab5. [Sci Rep] Full Article

Jedi-1 Deficiency Increases Sensory Neuron Excitability through a Non-Cell Autonomous Mechanism

In addition to satellite glia, researchers found Jedi-1 expression in perineurial glia and endothelial cells, but not in sensory neurons. They did not detect any morphological or functional changes in the glial cells or vasculature of Jedi-1 knockout mice. [Sci Rep] Full Article

Targeting LRIG2 Overcomes Resistance to EGFR Inhibitor in Glioblastoma by Modulating GAS6/AXL/SRC Signaling

Targeting LRIG2 significantly sensitized the glioblastoma cells to gefitinib, and inhibition of the downstream GAS6/AXL/SRC signaling abrogated LRIG2-mediated gefitinib resistance in vitro and in vivo. [Cancer Gene Ther] Abstract

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Nerves in Cancer

The authors review emerging concepts and discuss the therapeutic implications of manipulating nerves and neural signaling for the prevention and treatment of cancer. [Nat Rev Cancer] Abstract

Communication, Cross Talk, and Signal Integration in the Adult Hippocampal Neurogenic Niche

Scientists discuss representative contributions of niche cell types to regulation of neural stem cell homeostasis and maturation of adult-born dentate granule cells. [Neuron] Full Article

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

Cassava Sciences Announces Completion of Patient Enrollment of a Phase IIb Study in Alzheimer’s Disease

Cassava Sciences, Inc. announced it has initiated dosing for the last patient in a Phase IIb study of PTI-125. This completes patient enrollment in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, Phase IIb study of PTI-125, Cassava Sciences’ investigational drug to treat Alzheimer’s disease. [Cassava Sciences, Inc.] Press Release

Corium, Inc. Announces FDA Filing Acceptance of New Drug Application for ADLARITY^® (Donepezil Transdermal System) for the Treatment of Alzheimer’s Disease

Corium, Inc. announced that the FDA has accepted for filing the company’s New Drug Application for ADLARITY^®, its lead investigational agent for the treatment of dementia of the Alzheimer’s type in patients with mild, moderate, and severe Alzheimer’s disease. [Corium, Inc.] Press Release

Top Harvard Chemist Charged with Lying about Ties to Chinese Government Program

The head of Harvard University’s chemistry department was charged with attempting to conceal his involvement in a Chinese government program to bring scientists to China, an escalation of a crackdown by US authorities on what they perceive as a campaign to steal ideas born in American universities and medical centers. [STAT News] Editorial

Iranian Students Denied Entry to US

Despite having valid visas to attend universities, more than a dozen would-be graduate students have been detained at the airport and sent back to Iran in recent months. [The Scientist] Editorial

NEW American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) Meeting: The Evolving Landscape of Cancer Modeling
March 2-5, 2020
San Diego, California, United States

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

NEW Bioinformatician Positions – Molecular Neurobiology (Karolinska Institutet)

NEW Faculty Position – Neuroimmunology (St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Vascular Dysfunction in Neurodegeneration (Translational Neurology Group)

Postdoctoral Research Positions – Alzheimer’s Disease and Traumatic Brain Injury (University of Colorado Boulder)

Postdoctoral Position – In Vitro Electrophysiology in Brain Regeneration (Italian Institute of Technology)

Postdoctoral Researcher – Neurodegenerative Diseases and Cancer (University of Pennsylvania)

Research Cognitive Neurologist (University Health Network)

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

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

Multiple Faculty Positions – Neuroscience and Neuroengineering (Tsinghua University)

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

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