Neural Cell News Volume 7.01 | Jan 9 2013

Neuronal Nogo-A Negatively Regulates Dendritic Morphology and Synaptic Transmission in the Cerebellum
Researchers used general genetic ablation as well as selective overexpression of Nogo-A in Purkinje cells to analyze its effect on dendritogenesis and on the formation of their main input synapses from parallel and climbing fibers. [Proc Natl Acad Sci USA] Abstract

Increased Neuronal Activity Fragments the Golgi Complex
Investigators observed reversible fragmentation of the Golgi complex in cultured hippocampal neurons cultured in hyperexcitable conditions. In addition, Golgi fragmentation was found in cultured neurons with hyperactivity due to prolonged blockade of GABA_A-mediated inhibition or withdrawal of NMDA receptor antagonism. [Proc Natl Acad Sci USA] Abstract

Fluoxetine-Induced Cortical Adult Neurogenesis
Researchers showed that chronic treatment with a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor, fluoxetine, stimulated the neurogenesis of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)ergic interneurons from layer 1 inhibitory neuron progenitor cells in the cortex of adult mice. [Neuropsychopharmacol] Full Article

The Angelman Syndrome Protein Ube3a Is Required for Polarized Dendrite Morphogenesis in Pyramidal Neurons
Scientists report that the Angelman syndrome protein ubiquitin-protein ligase E3A plays an important role in specifying the polarization of pyramidal neuron dendritic arbors in mice. [J Neurosci]
Abstract | Press Release

FoxP2 Regulates Neurogenesis during Embryonic Cortical Development
Researchers provide evidence that FoxP2 regulates genesis of some intermediate progenitors and neurons in the mammalian cortex, one of the key centers for human speech. [J Neurosci] Abstract

Reprogramming Amacrine and Photoreceptor Progenitors into Retinal Ganglion Cells by Replacing Neurod1 with Atoh7
Investigators showed that Neurod1-expressing retina progenitor cells (RPCs), which are destined to produce amacrine and photoreceptor cells, can be re-programmed into retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) when Atoh7 is inserted into the Neurod1 locus. These results suggest that Atoh7 acts dominantly to convert a RPC subpopulation not destined for an RGC fate to adopt that fate. [Development] Abstract

Neural Development Is Dependent on the Function of Specificity Protein 2 in Cell Cycle Progression
Scientists demonstrated that neural stem cells and intermediate neural progenitor cells employ a zinc-finger transcription factor specificity protein 2 as a cell cycle regulator in two temporally and spatially distinct progenitor domains. [Development] Abstract

A Global Transcriptome Analysis Reveals Molecular Hallmarks of Neural Stem Cell Death, Survival, and Differentiation in Response to Partial FGF-2 and EGF Deprivation
Using cultures of embryonic and adult olfactory bulb stem cells, scientists analyzed the consequences of fibroblast growth factor-2 and epidermal growth factor addition at different intervals on proliferation, cell cycle progression, cell death and differentiation, as well as on global gene expression. [PLoS One]
Full Article

Neuregulin Facilitates Nerve Regeneration by Speeding Schwann Cell Migration via ErbB2/3-Dependent FAK Pathway
Cultured RSC96 cells treated with neuregulin were processed for erbB2/3 immunofluorescence and FAK immunoblottings. The potential effects of neuregulin on schwann cells were assessed by cell adherence, spreading, and migration assays. [PLoS One] Full Article

Radial Glia – from Boring Cables to Stem Cell Stars
The discovery in the year 2000 that radial glial cells act as neural stem and progenitor cells in development has led to a change in the concept of neural stem cells in the adult brain. Not only are adult stem cells in the neurogenic niches glial in nature, but also glial cells outside these niches display greater potential when reacting to brain injury. Thus, a concept that emerged from developmental studies may hold the clue for neural repair. [Development] Full Article

Repairing Neural Injuries Using Human Umbilical Cord Blood
Researchers have shown that umbilical cord blood (UCB) and UCB-derived cells can survive in injured sites in animal models of ischemic brain damage and spinal cord injuries, and promote survival and prevent cell death of local neurons and glia. [Mol Neurobiol] Abstract

Q Therapeutics’ Collaborators at Johns Hopkins Are Awarded Funding From National Institutes of Health
Q Therapeutics, Inc. announced that its collaborators at The Johns Hopkins University have been awarded $1.3 million in a third year of grant funding from the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke of the National Institutes of Health. Q Therapeutics is an emerging biotechnology company developing innovative cell therapy products for the treatment of debilitating diseases of the central nervous system. [Q Therapeutics, Inc.] Press Release

America Stem Cell, Inc. Awarded a Phase I SBIR to Explore the Therapeutic Potential of Its Platform Technology (ASC-101) with Neural Stem Cells in Multiple Sclerosis Model
America Stem Cell, Inc. (ASC) announced that it has been awarded an Advanced Technology Small Business Innovation Research grant from the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute at the National Institutes of Health. The studies outlined within the presently approved grant will examine the effect of ASC’s lead technology, ASC-101, in combination with neural stem cells in an experimental mouse model of multiple sclerosis. [Business Wire] Press Release

Stem Cell Lawsuit Finally Over
The Supreme Court rejected a request to ban U.S.-funded research on human embryonic stem cells (hESCs). The decision brings to an end a long legal battle that has cast a shadow over hESC studies for over three years. [Supreme Court, United States] Press Release

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Faculty Position – Neural Stem Cell Biology (University of Colorado School of Medicine)

Postdoctoral Position – Neural Stem Cells and Neurodevelopment (University of Wisconsin – Madison)

Postdoctoral Position – Neuroscience (Children’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School)

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