Protocadherins Mediate Dendritic Self-Avoidance in the Mammalian Nervous System Scientists found that, although insect Down syndrome cell adhesion molecule and vertebrate clustered protocadherin proteins share no sequence homology, they seem to underlie similar strategies for endowing neurons with distinct molecular identities and patterning their arborizations. [Nature] Abstract Subcellular Knockout of Importin β1 Perturbs Axonal Retrograde Signaling The authors showed that a long 3′ untranslated region (3′ UTR) directs axonal localization of Importin β1. Conditional targeting of this 3′ UTR region in mice causes subcellular loss of Importin β1 mRNA and protein in axons, without affecting cell body levels or nuclear functions in sensory neurons. [Neuron] Abstract | Press Release Sonic Hedgehog Maintains Cellular and Neurochemical Homeostasis in the Adult Nigrostriatal Circuit Researchers report that the interruption of a non cell-autonomous mode of sonic hedgehog signaling originating from dopaminergic neurons causes progressive, adult-onset degeneration of dopaminergic, cholinergic, and fast spiking GABAergic neurons of the mesostriatal circuit, imbalance of cholinergic and dopaminergic neurotransmission, and motor deficits reminiscent of Parkinson’s disease. [Neuron] Abstract A Role for Ephrin-A5 in Axonal Sprouting, Recovery, and Activity-Dependent Plasticity after Stroke Researchers demonstrated that stroke activates a newly described membrane-bound astrocyte growth inhibitor to limit neuroplasticity, activity-dependent axonal sprouting, and recovery in the adult. [Proc Natl Acad Sci USA] Full Article | Press Release Modulation of Synaptic Function by VAC14, a Protein that Regulates the Phosphoinositides PI(3,5)P2 and PI(5)P Researchers report that endogenous VAC14 localizes to endocytic organelles in fibroblasts and neurons. Unexpectedly, VAC14 exhibited a pronounced synaptic localization in hippocampal neurons, suggesting a role in regulating synaptic function. [EMBO J] Full Article Establishment of Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells from Centenarians for Neurodegenerative Disease Research Researchers compared the expression of molecules that play critical roles in late-onset neurodegenerative diseases by neurons differentiated from the centenarian-induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) to that of neurons differentiated from iPSCs derived from familial Alzheimer’s disease and familial Parkinson’s disease patients. The results indicated that the centenarian series of iPSCs would be useful in neurodegeneration research. [PLoS One] Full Article Unique Preservation of Neural Cells in Hutchinson-Gilford Progeria Syndrome Is Due to the Expression of the Neural-Specific miR-9 MicroRNA Data support the hypothesis, recently proposed from analyses in mice, that protection of neural cells from progerin accumulation in Hutchinson-Gilford progeria syndrome is due to the physiologically restricted expression of microRNA (miR)-9 to that cell lineage. [Cell Reports] Abstract Increased Expression of the Homologue of Enhancer-of-Split 1 Protects Neurons from Beta Amyloid Neurotoxicity and Hints at an Alternative Role for Transforming Growth Factor Beta1 as a Neuroprotector Researchers report that the expression of homologue of Enhancer-of split 1 abolished the effects of beta-amyloid on dendritic patterning and gamma-aminobutyric acid-ergic input, and it prevented the death of cultured neurons. [Alzheimers Res Ther] Abstract | Full Article | Press Release |