Scientists used Drosophila neuroblasts to demonstrate that the SWI/SNF component Osa prevents tumorigenesis by ensuring correct lineage progression in stem cell lineages. They showed that Osa induces a transcriptional program in the transit-amplifying population that initiates temporal patterning, limits self-renewal, and prevents dedifferentiation. [Cell] Full Article | Graphical Abstract A Supercritical Density of Na+ Channels Ensures Fast Signaling in GABAergic Interneuron Axons
Investigators examined interneuron axons by confocally targeted subcellular patch-clamp recording in rat hippocampal slices. [Nat Neurosci] Abstract | Press Release
High-Efficiency Motor Neuron Differentiation from Human Pluripotent Stem Cells and the Function of Islet-1
The authors developed a method for rapid and highly efficient differentiation of mature and functional motor neurons from human pluripotent stem cells by tightly modulating neural patterning temporally at a previously undefined primitive neural progenitor stage. [Nat Commun] Abstract
Role of BRCA1 in Brain Development
To determine its functional significance, scientists deleted BRCA1 in the developing brain using a neural progenitor-specific driver. The phenotype is characterized by severe agenesis of multiple laminated cerebral structures affecting most notably the neocortex, hippocampus, cerebellum, and olfactory bulbs. [Proc Natl Acad Sci USA] Abstract
Direct Conversion of Mouse Fibroblasts into Induced Neural Stem Cells
Researchers describe a protocol to directly convert mouse fibroblasts into self-renewing induced neural stem cells that can be expanded in vitro, thereby overcoming the limitations associated with low reprogramming efficiency. [Nat Protoc] Abstract
ATM-Dependent Phosphorylation of MEF2D Promotes Neuronal Survival after DNA Damage
Investigators demonstrated that ataxia telangiectasia mutated (ATM) phosphorylates and activates the transcription factor myocyte enhancer factor 2D (MEF2D), which plays a critical role in promoting survival of cerebellar granule cells. [J Neurosci] Abstract | Press Release
TIMP-1 Modulates Chemotaxis of Human Neural Stem Cells through CD63 and Integrin Signaling
Scientists demonstrated that tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1) significantly enhances human neural stem cell adhesion and migration in a cell culture system. These effects were critically dependent on CD63, as short hairpin RNA-mediated ablation of CD63 expression attenuated the response. [Biochem J] Abstract
Chemotactic Responses of Neural Stem Cells to SDF-1α Correlate Closely with Their Differentiation Status
By comparing the transfilter migration rate, single-cell migration speed, and directional efficiency of neural stem/progenitor cells (NSCs) in stromal cell-derived factor-1 alpha (SDF-1α)-induced Boyden chamber and Dunn chamber chemotaxis assays, the authors demonstrated that NSCs in varying differentiation stages possess different migratory capacity. [J Mol Neurosci] Abstract
Label-Free Characterization of Emerging Human Neuronal Networks
Researchers showed that by using a novel optical interferometric technique, they can non-invasively measure several fundamental properties of neural networks from the sub-cellular to the cell population level. They applied this method to quantify network formation in human stem cell derived neurons and show for the first time, correlations between trends in the growth, transport, and spatial organization of such a system. [Sci Rep]
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