Neural Cell News Volume 14.11 | Mar 25 2020

TOP STORY

Recurrent Architecture for Adaptive Regulation of Learning in the Insect Brain

Scientists discovered afferent sensory pathways and a large population of neurons that provided feedback from mushroom body output neurons and linked distinct memory systems (aversive and appetitive). They combined this with functional studies of dopaminergic neurons and their presynaptic partners and with comprehensive circuit modeling. [Nat Neurosci] Abstract

(Ranked by impact factor of the journal)

Autophagy Lipidation Machinery Regulates Axonal Microtubule Dynamics but Is Dispensable for Survival of Mammalian Neurons

Researchers found that AuTophaGy proteins required for LC3 lipid conjugation were dispensable for survival of excitatory neurons and instead regulate microtubule (MT) stability via controlling the abundance of the MT-binding protein CLASP2. [Nat Commun] Full Article

Spatially Regulated Editing of Genetic Information within a Neuron

Investigators showed that ADAR2 (adenosine deaminase that acted on RNA), an RNA editing enzyme, was expressed outside of the nucleus in squid neurons. [Nucleic Acids Res] Full Article

Variants in Saposin D Domain of Prosaposin Gene Linked to Parkinson’s Disease

The authors found that the abnormal accumulation of autophagic vacuoles, impaired autophagic flux, altered intracellular localization of prosaposin, and an aggregation of α-synuclein in patient-derived skin fibroblasts or induced pluripotent stem cell-derived dopaminergic neurons. [Brain] Abstract

Chronic Peripheral Inflammation Causes a Region-Specific Myeloid Response in the Central Nervous System

Scientists demonstrated brain-region-specific differences in myeloid responses induced by chronic peripheral inflammation. This shift in the myeloid compartment was associated with the appearance of an inflammatory myeloid subpopulation in the cortex, striatum, and thalamus. [Cell Rep] Full Article | Graphical Abstract

Hypoxia-Induced Release, Nuclear Translocation, and Signaling Activity of a DLK1 Intracellular Fragment in Glioma

Delta Like Non-Canonical Notch Ligand 1 (DLK1) expression was highest in hypoxic and perivascular tumor areas, and scientists found that hypoxia induced the release and nuclear translocation of an intracellular fragment of DLK1 in murine glioma as well as in human glioma cultures. [Oncogene] Full Article

Ferritin in Glioblastoma

Researchers showed for the first time that GBM-derived glioma cells released ferritin in vitro, which exerted an apoptosis-stimulating activity. [Br J Cancer] Abstract

Stimulation of Water and Calcium Dynamics in Astrocytes With Pulsed Infrared Light

The authors showed that pulsed infrared light modulated astrocyte function through changes in intracellular Ca²⁺ and water dynamics, providing unique mechanistic insight into the effect of pulsed infrared laser light on astroglial cells. [FASEB J] Abstract

Neuroinflammation Mediated by GMF Exacerbates Neuronal Injury in an In Vitro Model of Traumatic Brain Injury

Scientists used an in vitro cell culture model of traumatic brain injury. A standardized injury was induced by scalpel cut through a mixed primary cell culture of astrocytes; microglia and neurons obtained from both wild type and glia maturation factor(GMF)-deficient mice. [J Neurotrauma] Abstract

Perfluorooctane Sulfonate (PFOS) and Perfluorooctanoate (PFOA) Acutely Affect Human α₁β₂γ_2L GABA_A Receptor and Spontaneous Neuronal Network Function In Vitro

Exposure of networks of human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived neurons decreased neuronal activity. The higher sensitivity of the α₁β₂γ_2L GABA_A receptor for polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) as compared to neuronal networks suggested that PFAS had additional mechanisms of action, or that compensatory mechanisms were at play. [Sci Rep] Full Article

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Protein Transmission in Neurodegenerative Disease

The authors summarize the current knowledge of cell-to-cell transmission of pathological proteins and identify key questions for future investigation. [Nat Rev Neurol] Abstract

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Rising Research Star at Exeter Secures Prestigious Biochemical Society Award

Dr Kirsty Wan, a Research Fellow at the Living Systems Institute has received the Early Career Research Award from the Biochemical Society – one of just ten scientists and researchers nationwide to be honored in the annual award scheme. [University of Exeter] Press Release

AgeX Therapeutics Licensee ImStem Biotechnology Announces FDA Has Lifted the Hold and Cleared the Investigational New Drug Application for IMS001 for the Treatment of Multiple Sclerosis

AgeX Therapeutics, Inc. announced that ImStem Biotechnology, Inc. has received notification from the FDA that it has lifted the hold and cleared the Investigational New Drug application to evaluate IMS001 for the treatment of multiple sclerosis. [AgeX Therapeutics, Inc.] Press Release

Researchers Are Tracking Another Epidemic, Too-of Misinformation

When five researchers at the University of Washington, Seattle, launched the new Center for an Informed Public back in December 2019, they had no idea what was coming. The center aims to study how misinformation propagates and use the findings to “promote an informed society, and strengthen democratic discourse.” [ScienceInsider] Editorial

After Conference Cancellations, Some Scientists Find a Way

As scores of academic meetings get upended due to COVID-19, researchers are turning to virtual replacements. [The Scientist] Editorial

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NEW Assistant Professor – Department of Neuroscience (Univeristy of Padua Department of Neusciences)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Developmental Neuroscience (Children’s National Hospital)

Research Assistant – Cerebral Organoids (Weill Cornell Medicine College)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Neuroscience Research (University of North Carolina at Charlotte)

Associate Professor – Visual Neuroscience (Dalhousie University)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Translational Brain Tumor Research (Northwestern University)

Branch Chief – Neuroscience Research (National Institutes of Health)

Postdoctoral Research Fellowship – Neuroscience and Stem Cells (Black Family Stem Cell Institute)

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

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

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

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