| TOP STORY | Cellular Boundary Key to Neuronal Function Researchers have identified a distal axonal cytoskeleton that functions as a boundary to ensure a key scaffolding protein, called ankyrinG, stays at the start of the axon near the cell body where it performs its functions of clustering sodium and potassium ion channels and maintaining the neuron’s proper organization. [Press release from the Baylor College of Medicine discussing online republicaiton in Cell] Press Release | Abstract |
| PUBLICATIONS (Ranked by impact factor of the journal) | Astrocyte Glypicans 4 and 6 Promote Formation of Excitatory Synapses via GluA1 AMPA Receptors Researchers used the biochemical fractionation of astrocyte-conditioned medium to identify glypican 4 and glypican 6 as astrocyte-secreted signals sufficient to induce functional synapses between purified retinal ganglion cell neurons, and showed that depletion of these molecules from astrocyte-conditioned medium significantly reduces its ability to induce postsynaptic activity. [Nature] Abstract Microglia Sculpt Postnatal Neural Circuits in an Activity and Complement-Dependent Manner Researchers demonstrated a role for microglia in activity-dependent synaptic pruning in the postnatal retinogeniculate system. [Neuron] Abstract | Press Release The Age of Olfactory Bulb Neurons in Humans Researchers assessed the age of olfactory bulb neurons in humans by measuring the levels of nuclear bomb test-derived 14C in genomic DNA. They report that 14C concentrations correspond to the atmospheric levels at the time of birth of the individuals, establishing that there is very limited, if any, postnatal neurogenesis in the human olfactory bulb. [Neuron] Abstract | Press Release Long-Range Ca2+ Waves Transmit Brain-Damage Signals to Microglia Researchers used the optically transparent zebrafish larval brain and identified rapidly propagating Ca2+ waves that determine the range of microglial responses to neuronal cell death. [Dev Cell] Abstract | Press Release The ALS Disease Protein TDP-43 Is Actively Transported in Motor Neuron Axons and Regulates Axon Outgrowth The results of this study suggest a role of TDP-43 in the regulation of axonal growth, and that impairment in the post-transcriptional regulation of mRNAs in the cytoplasm of motor neurons may be a major factor in the development of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). [Hum Mol Genet] Abstract Signaling Defects in iPSC-Derived Fragile X Premutation Neurons To investigate the underlying cellular neuropathology of fragile X-associated tremor/ataxia syndrome, researchers produced iPSC-derived neurons from isogenic subclones of primary fibroblasts of a female premutation carrier, with each subclone bearing exclusively either the normal or the expanded (premutation) form of the fragile X gene as the active allele. [Hum Mol Genet] Abstract Neuronal Properties, In Vivo Effects and Pathology of a Huntington’s Disease Patient-Derived Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells The results of this study indicate that, although Huntington’s disease (HD) induced pluripotent stem cells carrying 72 CAG repeats can form GABAergic neurons and give rise to functional effects in vivo, without showing an overt HD phenotype, it is highly susceptible to proteasome inhibition and develops HD pathology at later stages of transplantation. [Stem Cells] Abstract | Press Release Rapid Dopaminergic and GABA-ergic Modulation of Calcium and Voltage Transients in Dendrites of Prefrontal Cortex Pyramidal Neurons The physiological responses of dendrites to dopaminergic inputs are poorly understood and controversial. The authors applied dopamine on one dendritic branch while simultaneously monitoring action potentials from multiple dendrites using either calcium-sensitive dye, voltage-sensitive dye, or both. [J Physiol] Abstract Arsenic Exposure Inhibits Myogenesis and Neurogenesis in P19 Stem Cells through Repression of the Β-Catenin Signaling Pathway Researchers used P19 mouse embryonic stem cells to examine whether arsenic exposure could alter their differentiation into skeletal muscles and neurons. [Toxicol Sci] Abstract |
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