Neural Cell News Volume 6.34 | Aug 29 2012

Tau Promotes Neurodegeneration via DRP1 Mislocalization In Vivo
Scientists found that expression of human tau results in elongation of mitochondria in both Drosophila and mouse neurons. Researchers demonstrated a conserved role for actin and myosin in regulating mitochondrial fission and showed that excess actin stabilization inhibits association of the fission protein DRP1 with mitochondria, leading to mitochondrial elongation and subsequent neurotoxicity. [Neuron]
Abstract | Press Release

Mitofusin 2 Is Necessary for Striatal Axonal Projections of Midbrain Dopamine Neurons
Investigators addressed the importance of mitofusin 1 (Mfn1) and Mfn2 in midbrain dopamine (DA) neurons in vivo by characterizing mice with DA neuron-specific knockout of Mfn1 or Mfn2. [Hum Mol Genet]
Full Article

Micropatterned Stretching System for the Investigation of Mechanical Tension on Neural Stem Cell Behavior
Researchers developed a feasible and reliable stretching platform combined with photolithography and microfluidic techniques to investigate the effect of directional tensile force and guiding microchannels on neural stem cell behavior. [Nanomedicine] Abstract

Multipotent Nestin-Expressing Stem Cells Capable of Forming Neurons Are Located in the Upper, Middle and Lower Part of the Vibrissa Hair Follicle
Scientists demonstrated that multipotent, nestin-expressing stem cells are present throughout the hair follicle and that the upper part of the follicle can produce stem cells in large amounts that could be used for nerve and spinal cord repair. [Cell Cycle] Abstract

Inherited Effects of Low-Dose Exposure to Methylmercury in Neural Stem Cells
Scientists investigated short-term direct and long-term inherited effects of exposure to methylmercury using primary cultures of rat embryonic cortical neural stem cells. [Toxicol Sci] Abstract

Regulation of Axonal Growth and Neuromuscular Junction Formation by Neuronal PTEN Signaling
Researchers report a novel function of presynaptic signaling by PTEN (phosphatase and tensin homolog) in mediating a growth-to-synaptogenesis transition in neurons. [Mol Biol Cell] Abstract

Activin A Promotes Neuronal Differentiation of Cerebrocortical Neural Progenitor Cells
Investigators studied if Activin A influences proliferation, differentiation or survival in rat cerebrocortical neural progenitor cells. [PLoS One] Full Article

Ethanol Disrupts Axon Outgrowth Stimulated by Netrin-1, GDNF, and L1 by Blocking their Convergent Activation of Src Family Kinase Signaling
Researchers investigated whether ethanol inhibits the stimulation of axon outgrowth by diverse axon guidance molecules through a common action on the Src family kinases. [J Neurochem] Abstract

BDNF Increases the Motility of a Particular N-Methyl D-aspartate/γ-Amino-Butyric Acid-Responsive Subset of Neural Progenitor Cells
Scientists studied the effect of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) on parameters such as motility and neurotransmitter responsiveness of migrating neural progenitors. [Neuroscience] Abstract

European Medicines Agency (European Union)

Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (United Kingdom)

Therapeutic Goods Administration (Australia)

NEW Basic and Clinical Neuroscience Congress
November 7-9, 2012
Tehran, Iran

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