Neural Cell News Volume 8.26 | Jul 9 2014

Translational Control of mGluR-Dependent Long-Term Depression and Object-Place Learning by eIF2α
Scientists describe the translational program that underlies metabotropic glutamate receptor long-term depression (mGluR-LTD) and identify the translation factor eIF2α as its master effector. The findings identify a new model of mGluR-LTD, which promises to be of value in the treatment of mGluR-LTD-linked cognitive disorders. [Nat Neurosci] Abstract | Press Release

Autophagy Induction Enhances TDP43 Turnover and Survival in Neuronal ALS Models
Investigators show that individual neurons vary in their ability to clear transactive response element DNA-binding protein of 43 kDa (TDP43) and are exquisitely sensitive to TDP43 levels. New compounds that stimulate autophagy improved TDP43 clearance and localization and enhanced survival in primary murine neurons and in human stem cell-derived neurons and astrocytes harboring mutant TDP43. [Nat Chem Biol]
Abstract | Press Release

TREM2 Mutations Implicated in Neurodegeneration Impair Cell Surface Transport and Phagocytosis
Investigators report that missense mutations associated with frontotemporal dementia (FTD) and FTD-like syndrome reduce triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells 2 (TREM2) maturation, abolish shedding by ADAM proteases, and impair the phagocytic activity of TREM2-expressing cells. [Sci Transl Med]
Abstract | Press Release

Müller Cells Separate between Wavelengths to Improve Day Vision with Minimal Effect upon Night Vision
Researchers show that Müller cells are wavelength-dependent wave-guides, concentrating the green-red part of the visible spectrum onto cones and allowing the blue-purple part to leak onto nearby rods. [Nat Commun] Abstract | Press Release

Primary Glioblastoma Cultures: Can Profiling of Stem Cell Markers Predict Radiotherapy Sensitivity?
Investigators established stem cell markers and stem cell attributed characteristics such as self-renewal capacity and tumorigenicity have been profiled in primary glioblastoma cultures to predict radiosensitivity. [J Neurochem] Abstract

Cell-Based Assays for Parkinson’s Disease Using Differentiated Human LUHMES Cells
Given the limited scale of primary dopaminergic neuron culture, researchers developed differentiated Lund human mesencephalic (LUHMES) cell-based cytotoxicity assays for identifying neuroprotective agents for Parkinson’s disease. [Acta Pharmacol Sin] Abstract

S-Nitrosylation-Mediated Redox Transcriptional Switch Modulates Neurogenesis and Neuronal Cell Death
Scientists report that S-nitrosylation of myocyte enhancer factor 2 (MEF2) transcription factors acts as a redox switch to inhibit both neurogenesis and neuronal survival. S-Nitrosylation disrupts MEF2-DNA binding and transcriptional activity, leading to impaired neurogenesis and survival in vitro and in vivo. [Cell Rep]
Full Article | Graphical Abstract | Press Release

Focal Transplantation of Human iPSC-Derived Glial-Rich Neural Progenitors Improves Lifespan of ALS Mice
Researchers derived glial-rich neural progenitors from human iPSCs and transplanted them into the lumbar spinal cord of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) mouse models. The transplanted cells differentiated into astrocytes, and the treated mouse group showed prolonged lifespan. [Stem Cell Rep]
Full Article | Graphical Abstract | Press Release

MicroRNA and Transcriptional Crosstalk in Myelinating Glia
The author focuses on the intersection of microRNAs with transcriptional regulation in Schwann cell and oligodendrocyte differentiation. In particular, several microRNAs have been shown to modulate expression of critical transcription factors, and in turn, the regulation of microRNA expression is enmeshed within transcriptional networks that coordinate both coding gene and noncoding RNA profiles of myelinating cells. [Neurochem Int] Abstract

Visit our reviews page to see a complete list of reviews in the neuroscience field.

NIH Funds Next Step of Cutting-Edge Research into Alzheimer’s Disease Genome
Teams of scientists will use support from the National Institutes of Health to conduct research into the genetic underpinnings of Alzheimer’s disease, analyzing how genome sequences – the order of chemical letters in a cell’s DNA – may contribute to increased risk or protect against the disease. The awards, expected to total $24 million over four years, go to eight academic medical centers that have been at the forefront of research in Alzheimer’s genetics. [National Institutes of Health (NIH)] Press Release

Q Therapeutics Announces First U.S. Patent Relating to Fifth Patent Family on Neural Cells
Q Therapeutics, Inc. announced that the United States Patent and Trademark Office has issued the company the first U.S. patent from its fifth patent family on neural cells. U.S. Patent No. 8,673,292, titled “Pure Populations of Astrocyte Restricted Precursor Cells and Methods for Isolation and Use Thereof,” covers the astrocyte family of neural cells of the central nervous system. [Q Therapeutics, Inc.] Press Release

From our sponsor:
Looking for ALDH⁺ cancer stem cells? Watch a video to see how ALDEFLUOR™ can help.

Food and Drug Administration (United States)

Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research (United States)

European Medicines Agency (European Union)

Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (United Kingdom)

Therapeutic Goods Administration (Australia)

Visit our events page to see a complete list of events in the neural cell community.

Research Associate – Generation of Laminated Neural Retinae from Human Pluripotent Stem Cells (Institute of Genetic Medicine)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Experimental Neuroscience, Stem Cell Biology, and Neurotransplantation (Johns Hopkins University)

Postdoctoral Positions – Optics and Bioengineering for Engineering and/or Neuroscientific Applications (Nanyang Technological University)

Postdoctoral Position – Cellular Neuroscience (Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique – CNRS)

Postdoctoral Scientist – Neural Stem Cells (Texas Biomedical Research Institute)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Molecular/Cellular Neuroscience (CIMA/University of Navarra)

Postdoctoral Position – Neurotoxicity and Epigenetics (Thomas Jefferson University)

Max Planck Research Group Leader – Neuroscience (Center of Advanced European Studies and Research – Caesar)

Postdoctoral Position – Spinal Cord Adult Neural Stem Cells (INSERM Institute for Neuroscience)

Scientist – Human Pluripotent Stem Cell Neural Differentiation (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

Scientist – Pluripotent Stem Cell Media Development, High Throughput Screening (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

Scientist – Cell Culture Support Products (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

Scientist – Immunology/Cell Separation (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

Research Associate – Cell Separation (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

Recruit Top Talent: Reach more than 50,000 potential candidates by posting your organization’s career opportunities on the Connexon Creative Job Board at no cost.