Recurrent Genomic Instability of Chromosome 1q in Neural Derivatives of Human Embryonic Stem Cells Here, scientists report that neural differentiation of human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) systematically produced a neural stem cell population that could be propagated for more than 50 passages without entering senescence; this was true for all six hESC lines tested. [J Clin Invest] Abstract Regulator of G Protein Signaling 4 Is Required for Dopaminergic Control of Striatal Long-Term Depression and Susceptibility to Parkinsonian Motor Deficits Scientists have characterized two distinct signaling pathways mediating endocannabinoid-dependent production in striatal indirect-pathway striatal projection neurons and found that both pathways were modulated by dopamine D2 and adenosine A2A receptors, acting through cyclic adenosine monophosphate or protein kinase A. [Neuron] Abstract The Synaptic Vesicle Soluble NSF Attachment Protein Receptor (SNARE) Neuronal Synaptobrevin Promotes Endolysosomal Degradation and Prevents Neurodegeneration In this paper, researchers report that loss of neuronal Synaptobrevin (n-syb) caused slow neurodegeneration independent of its role in neurotransmitter release in adult Drosophila melanogaster photoreceptor neurons. [J Cell Biol] Abstract Optically Monitoring Voltage in Neurons by Photo-Induced Electron Transfer through Molecular Wires Scientists present fluorescent sensors that detect voltage changes in neurons by modulation of photo-induced electron transfer from an electron donor through a synthetic molecular wire to a fluorophore. [Proc Natl Acad Sci USA] Abstract | Press Release SFRP1 and 2 Dose-Dependently Regulate Midbrain Dopamine Neuron Development In Vivo and in Embryonic Stem Cells Secreted Frizzled related proteins (sFRPs) are a family of proteins that modulate Wnt signaling, which in its turn regulates multiple aspects of ventral midbrain and dopaminergic (DA) neuron development. Here, researchers show that sFRP1 and sFRP2 activate the Wnt/PCP/Rac1 pathway in DA cells. [Stem Cells] Abstract Concentration-Dependent Requirement for Local Protein Synthesis in Motor Neuron Subtype-Specific Response to Axon Guidance Cues Using a growth cone collapse assay, researchers demonstrate that mouse embryonic stem cell-derived spinal motor neurons respond to ephrin-A5, Sema3f, and Sema3a in a concentration-dependent manner. [J Neurosci] Abstract NP1 Regulates Neuronal Activity-Dependent Accumulation of BAX in Mitochondria and Mitochondrial Dynamics Here investigators report that neuronal pentraxin 1 (NP1) facilitates the accumulation of BAX in mitochondria and regulates mitochondrial dynamics during apoptosis in rat and mouse cerebellar granule neurons in culture. [J Neurosci] Abstract Small GTPase Rab17 Regulates the Dendritic Morphogenesis and Postsynaptic Development of Hippocampal Neurons Here researchers show that Rab17 regulates dendritic morphogenesis and postsynaptic development in mouse hippocampal neurons. [J Biol Chem] Abstract Insulin Promotes Neuronal Survival via the Alternatively Spliced Protein Kinase C Delta II Isoform This is the first report of insulin regulating the alternative isoform expression of a key signaling kinase in neuronal cells such that it results in increased neuronal survival. [J Biol Chem] Abstract Transplantation of Human Central Nervous System Stem Cells-Neuroprotection in Retinal Degeneration In the present study, scientists explored the efficacy of stem cells derived from the human brain and grown as neurospheres in a rodent model of retinal degeneration, the Royal College of Surgeons rat, and extended our previous cell transplantation studies to include an in-depth examination of donor cell behavior and phenotype post-transplantation. [Eur J Neurosci] Abstract |