Neural Cell News Volume 7.48 | Dec 4 2013

The APC/C Cofactor Cdh1 Prevents Replicative Stress and p53-Dependent Cell Death in Neural Progenitors
Researchers showed that genetic ablation of Cdh1 in the developing nervous system results in hypoplastic brain and hydrocephalus. These defects correlate with enhanced levels of Cdh1 substrates and increased entry into the S phase in neural progenitors. [Nat Commun] Abstract | Press Release

APC/C-Cdh1 Coordinates Neurogenesis and Cortical Size during Development
Scientists used an embryo-restricted Cdh1 knockout mouse model and show that functional anaphase-promoting complex/cyclosome (APC/C)-Cdh1 ubiquitin ligase activity is required for both terminal differentiation of cortical neurons in vitro and neurogenesis in vivo. [Nat Commun] Abstract

Generation and Characterization of Spiking and Nonspiking Oligodendroglial Progenitor Cells from Embryonic Stem Cells
Using a mouse embryonic stem cell (mESC) green fluorescent protein (GFP)-Olig2 knockin reporter line, scientists demonstrated that unlike brain oligodendroglial progenitor cells (OPCs), all the GFP⁺/Olig2⁺ mESC-derived OPCs did not express functional voltage-gated sodium channel and failed to generate spikes, while expressing the delayed rectifier and inactivating potassium currents. [Stem Cells] Abstract

Glioma-Associated Stem Cells: A Novel Class of Tumor-Supporting Cells Able to Predict Prognosis of Human Low-Grade Gliomas
Researchers dissected the mechanism of interaction between tumor cells and relevant components of the neoplastic environment, isolating, from low-grade gliomas and high-grade gliomas, proliferating stem cell lines from both the glioma stroma and, where possible, the neoplasm. [Stem Cells] Abstract

A 3D Alzheimer’s Disease Culture Model and the Induction of P21-Activated Kinase Mediated Sensing in iPSC Derived Neurons
Scientists demonstrated how a three dimensional (3D) culture of stem cell derived neurons can induce in vivo like responses related to Alzheimer’s disease, not recapitulated with conventional 2D cultures. To acquire a neural population of cells they differentiated neurons from neuroepithelial stem cells, derived from induced pluripotent stem cells. [Biomaterials] Full Article

Regulation of Neurotropic Signaling by the Inducible, NF-kB-Sensitive miRNA-125b in Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) and in Primary Human Neuronal-Glial (HNG) Cells
In both short post-mortem AD and in stressed primary HNG cells, scientists observed a consistent up-regulation of several brain-enriched microRNAs (miRNAs) that are under transcriptional control by the pro-inflammatory transcription factor NF-kB. [Mol Neurobiol] Abstract

Ghrelin Stimulates Proliferation, Migration and Differentiation of Neural Progenitors from the Subventricular Zone in the Adult Mice
Researchers investigated the possible influence of ghrelin on cell proliferation and neuroblast formation in the subventricular zone and rostral migratory system and generation of interneurons in the olfactory bulb. [Exp Neurol] Abstract

The Growth Inhibitory Effect of 17-DMAG on Anaplastic Lymphoma Kinase and MYCN Double-Positive Neuroblastoma Cell Line
Investigators showed that 17-DMAG, a well-known HSP-90 inhibitor, significantly inhibits neuroblastoma (NB) cell growth, arrests cell cycle, and strongly induces NB cell apoptosis. [Tumor Biol] Abstract

Carnosic Acid Suppresses the Production of Amyloid-β 1-42 and 1-43 by Inducing an α-Secretase TACE/ADAM17 in U373MG Human Astrocytoma Cells
Researchers investigated the effect of carnosic acid (CA) on the production of amyloid-β (Aβ) peptides in U373MG human astrocytoma cells. The treatment of cells with CA suppressed Aβ40/42/43 release. [Neurosci Res] Abstract

Underlying Potential Therapeutic Roles in Alzheimer’s and Other Neurodegenerative Diseases
The authors review recent studies that demonstrate neuroprotective functions for latrepirdine-related class of molecules including the β-carbolines and aminopropyl carbazoles in Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis models. [Transl Psych] Full Article

Kinex Pharmaceuticals Announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has Granted Orphan Drug Status to KX02 for the Treatment of Gliomas
Kinex Pharmaceuticals announced that they have received Orphan Drug designation for KX02 for the treatment of gliomas, which are the most common and aggressive form of brain cancer. [Kinex Pharmaceuticals] Press Release

Los Angeles Benefactor Pledges $5 Million to Alzheimer’s Research at USC
Los Angeles residents Selim Zilkha and Mary Hayley are raising the stakes in the fight against Alzheimer’s disease, the only cause of death among the top 10 in the United States that cannot currently be prevented, cured or slowed. Zilkha, a member of the Keck School of Medicine of University of Southern California (USC) Board of Overseers, has pledged a gift of $5 million to the school to fund a new endowed chair in Alzheimer’s disease research. [Keck School of Medicine at USC] Press Release

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