Neural Cell News Volume 7.32 | Aug 14 2013

Activity-Induced Convergence of APP and BACE-1 in Acidic Microdomains via an Endocytosis-Dependent Pathway
Exploring dynamic localization of APP/BACE-1 in cultured hippocampal neurons, scientists found that after synthesis via the secretory pathway, dendritic APP/BACE-1-containing vesicles are largely segregated in physiologic states. [Neuron] Abstract

The Long Noncoding RNA RMST Interacts with SOX2 to Regulate Neurogenesis
Scientists provide mechanistic insight into the role of human rhabdomyosarcoma 2-associated transcript (RMST) in modulating neurogenesis. RMST expression is specific to the brain, regulated by the transcriptional repressor REST, and increases during neuronal differentiation, indicating a role in neurogenesis. [Mol Cell] Abstract | Graphical Abstract

CHD5 Is Required for Neurogenesis and Has a Dual Role in Facilitating Gene Expression and Polycomb Gene Repression
Scientists report that depletion of Chd5 in the developing neocortex blocks neuronal differentiation and leads to an accumulation of undifferentiated progenitors. [Dev Cell]
Abstract | Full Article | Graphical Abstract | Press Release

R-Loop Formation at Snord116 Mediates Topotecan Inhibition of Ube3a-Antisense and Allele-Specific Chromatin Decondensation
Neural precursor cells from paternal Snord116 deletion mice exhibit increased Angelman syndrome-causing ubiquitin ligase encoding Ube3a levels in differentiated neurons and show a reduced effect of topotecan compared with wild-type neurons. [Proc Natl Acad Sci USA] Abstract | Full Article

Directed Differentiation of Forebrain GABA Interneurons from Human Pluripotent Stem Cells
Scientists describe a protocol for directed differentiation of forebrain ?-aminobutyric acid (GABA) interneurons from human embryonic stem cells and induced pluripotent stem cells in a chemically defined system. [Nat Protoc] Abstract

miR-137 Regulates the Constitutive Androstane Receptor and Modulates Doxorubicin Sensitivity in Parental and Doxorubicin-Resistant Neuroblastoma Cells
Investigators report the inversely related expression of microRNA (miR)-137 and constitutive androstane receptor in parental and doxorubicin-resistant neuroblastoma cells, wherein miR-137 is downregulated in resistant cells. [Oncogene] Abstract

AGAP3 and Arf6 Regulate Trafficking of AMPA Receptors and Synaptic Plasticity
Researchers found that AGAP3 regulates NMDA receptor-mediated Ras/ERK and Arf6 signaling pathways during chemically induced long-term potentiation in rat primary neuronal cultures. [J Neurosci]
Abstract | Press Release

Insulin Concentration Is Critical in Culturing Human Neural Stem Cells and Neurons
Researchers showed that human-derived neural stem cells (hNSC) cultures, unlike NSCs of rodent origins, are extremely sensitive to insulin, an indispensable culture supplement, and that the previously reported difficulty in culturing hNSCs is likely because of a lack of understanding of this relationship. [Cell Death Dis]
Full Article

Cadherin-11 Regulates Motility in Normal Cortical Neural Precursors and Glioblastoma
TGFß promotes glioblastoma cell motility, and knockdown of Cadherin-11 expression in primary human glioblastoma cells inhibits TGFß-stimulated migration. [PLoS One] Full Article | Press Release

NW Bio Receives Regulatory Decision that Will Enable Its Phase III Brain Cancer Trial to Proceed in Germany
Northwest Biotherapeutics announced that it has received a decision from the German regulatory agency under which the Company’s Phase III clinical trial will be able to proceed in Germany after the Company makes three modifications, none of which affect the body of the trial or the bases for seeking product approval. [Northwest Biotherapeutics] Press Release

The ALS Association Announces $4.3 Million in Research Grants for Global Fight against ALS
The ALS Association announced that it has awarded $4.3 million in new research grants. These awards are part of its Translational Research Advancing Therapy program, through which The Association funds a diverse portfolio of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) research to find treatments and a cure for the disease. [ALS Association] Press Release