Neural Cell News Volume 5.40 | Oct 12 2011

Abnormal Parkinson’s Disease Protein Induces Degeneration in Healthy Nerve Cells
Research has found that small amounts of misshapened brain proteins can be taken up by healthy neurons and replicated within them to cause neurodegeneration. [Press release from the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania discussing online prepublication in Neuron] Press Release | Abstract

Feedback from Rhodopsin Controls Rhodopsin Exclusion in Drosophila Photoreceptors
Here researchers show that the green-light sensing receptor rhodopsin 6 acts to exclude an alternative blue-sensitive rhodopsin 5 from a subset of Drosophila R8 photoreceptor neurons. [Nature] Abstract

Ivy/Neurogliaform Interneurons Coordinate Activity in the Neurogenic Niche
Investigators found interneurons of the neurogliaform cell family to be a primary source of GABA for newborn neurons in mouse dentate gyrus. [Nat Neurosci] Abstract

Bidirectional Plasticity of Calcium-Permeable AMPA Receptors in Oligodendrocyte Lineage Cells
Researchers identified factors controlling the dynamic regulation of AMPA receptor subtypes in oligodendrocyte precursor cells from rat optic nerve and mouse cerebellar cortex. [Nat Neurosci] Abstract

Sleep and Waking Modulate Spine Turnover in the Adolescent Mouse Cortex
Using two-photon microscopy in adolescent mice, scientists found that waking results in a net increase in cortical spines, whereas sleep is associated with net spine loss. [Nat Neurosci] Abstract

CA1 Neurons in the Human Hippocampus Are Critical for Autobiographical Memory, Mental Time Travel, and Autonoetic Consciousness
The results highlight the distinct and critical role of human hippocampal CA1 neurons in autobiographical memory retrieval and for re-experiencing detailed episodic memories. [Proc Natl Acad Sci USA] Abstract | Press Release

Lipocalin-2 Controls Neuronal Excitability and Anxiety by Regulating Dendritic Spine Formation and Maturation
Here researchers found that the lipocalin-2 gene, encoding a secreted protein of unknown neuronal function, was up-regulated in mouse hippocampus following psychological stress. [Proc Natl Acad Sci USA] Abstract

Oxidative Stress Induces Overgrowth of the Drosophila Neuromuscular Junction
The data suggest that reactive oxygen species, via activation of the JNK signaling pathway, are a major regulator of synapse overgrowth. [Proc Natl Acad Sci USA] Abstract | Press Release

Terminally Differentiated Astrocytes Lack DNA Damage Response Signaling and Are Radioresistant but Retain DNA Repair Proficiency
Here, researchers comparatively studied DNA-damage response signaling and radiosensitivity in neural stem cells and their terminally differentiated-descendants, astrocytes. [Cell Death Differ] Abstract

Insulin Biosynthesis in Neuronal Progenitors Derived from Adult Hippocampus and the Olfactory Bulb
Investigators demonstrated that insulin is produced not only in the mammalian pancreas but also in adult neuronal cells derived from the hippocampus and olfactory bulb. [EMBO Mol Med] Abstract | Press Release

The Melatonin MT1 Receptor Axis Modulates Mutant Huntingtin-Mediated Toxicity
Researchers report that melatonin delays disease onset and mortality in a transgenic mouse model of Huntington’s disease. [J Neurosci] Abstract | Press Release

MJFF Awards AFFiRiS $1.5 Million for the Clinical Development of the First Parkinson’s Disease Vaccine
The Michael J. Fox Foundation (MJFF) announced that it has awarded $1.5 million to AFFiRiS AG for a clinical study of AFFITOPE® PD01, a first-of-its-kind Parkinson’s disease vaccine. [The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research] Press Release

MagForce AG Announces Treatment of Recurrent Glioblastoma Patient with NanoTherm® Therapy
MagForce AG announced the treatment of a recurrent glioblastoma patient with the company’s NanoTherm® therapy. [MagForce AG] Press Release

Neuralstem Receives Notice of Patent Allowance for Spinal Cord Delivery Platform
Neuralstem, Inc. announced that it has received a notice of allowance from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office for patent application 12/418,170 pertaining to a “Spinal Platform and Method for Delivering a Therapeutic Agent to a Spinal Cord Target.” [Neuralstem, Inc.] Press Release

BCM Scientists Receive Early Career Awards for Brain Cancer Research
Baylor College of Medicine (BCM) researchers have received two of five national awards from The Sontag Foundation to early career scientists for unique and novel brain cancer research proposals. [Baylor College of Medicine] Press Release

Ono to Enter into License Agreements with Merck KGaA
Ono Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. announced that the company signed two separate agreements with Merck KGaA on October 3, 2011 to out-license ONO-4641, a novel compound originally discovered and developed by Ono for the treatment of multiple sclerosis and to license for co-development and co-marketing Stimuvax® (candidate for product name) in Japan, a novel cancer immunotherapy, globally developed by Merck Serono. [Ono Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.] Press Release

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