Neural Cell News Volume 8.30 | Aug 6 2014

Activity-Dependent Feedback Regulates Correlated Ion Channel mRNA Levels in Single Identified Motor Neurons
Researchers quantified multiple ion channel mRNAs from single identified motor neurons of the stomatogastric ganglion to determine whether correlations among channel mRNAs are actively maintained, and, if so, by what form of feedback. In these neurons, they identified correlations among mRNAs for voltage-gated calcium and potassium channels. [Curr Biol] Abstract

Npas4 Regulates Mdm2 and thus Dcx in Experience-Dependent Dendritic Spine Development of Newborn Olfactory Bulb Interneurons
Scientists suggest that Npas4 regulates Mdm2 expression to ubiquitinate and degrade Dcx during dendritic spine development in newborn olfactory bulb granule cells after sensory experience. [Cell Rep]
Full Article | Graphical Abstract

Control of Outer Radial Glial Stem Cell Mitosis in the Human Brain
Investigators report that disrupted mitotic somal translocation (MST) may underlie neurodevelopmental diseases affecting the Rho-ROCK-myosin pathway and provide a foundation for future exploration of the role of MST in neocortical development, evolution, and disease. [Cell Rep] Full Article | Graphical Abstract

Transgenic Mice Overexpressing Amyloid Precursor Protein Exhibit Early Metabolic Deficits and a Pathologically Low Leptin State Associated with Hypothalamic Dysfunction in Arcuate Neuropeptide Y Neurons
Scientists examined whether transgenic mice overexpressing the Swedish mutation of amyloid precursor protein (Tg2576), recapitulating selected features of Alzheimer’s disease, have hypothalamic leptin signaling dysfunction leading to early body weight deficits. [J Neurosci] Abstract | Press Release

Ntf3 Acts Downstream of Sip1 in Cortical Postmitotic Neurons to Control Progenitor Cell Fate through Feedback Signaling
Investigators report that in the developing mouse neocortex, Ntf3, a Sip1 target neurotrophin, acts as a feedback signal between postmitotic neurons and progenitors, promoting both apical progenitor to basal progenitor and deep layer to upper layer cell fate switches. [Development] Abstract

Adult Mouse Subventricular Zones Stimulate Glioblastoma Stem Cells Specific Invasion through CXCL12/CXCR4 Signaling
Scientists investigated the role of the CXCL12/CXCR4 signaling in the glioblastoma stem cells-specific invasion of the adult subventricular zones and demonstrate the significant role of the CXCL12/CXCR4 signaling in this original model of brain cancer invasion. [Neuro Oncol] Abstract

Cholesterol 24S-Hydroxylase Overexpression Inhibits the Liver X Receptor Pathway by Activating Small Guanosine Triphosphate-Binding Proteins in Neuronal Cells
Researchers show that CYP46A1 overexpression in SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells and in primary cultures of rat cortical neurons leads to an increase in 3-hydroxy-3-methyl-glutaryl-CoA reductase activity and to an overall increase in membrane levels of RhoA, Rac1, Cdc42 and Rab8. [Mol Neurobiol] Abstract

NMDA-Receptor Inhibition Restores Protease-Activated Receptor 1 (PAR1) Mediated Alterations in Homeostatic Synaptic Plasticity of Denervated Mouse Dentate Granule Cells
Scientists used entorhinal denervation of organotypic hippocampal slice cultures to study the effects of PAR1 on denervation-induced homeostatic synaptic plasticity. [Neuropharmacology] Abstract

A Physically-Modified Saline Suppresses Neuronal Apoptosis, Attenuates Tau Phosphorylation and Protects Memory in an Animal Model of Alzheimer’s Disease
Investigators undertook a novel approach to attenuate apoptosis and tau phosphorylation in cultured neuronal cells and in a transgenic animal model of Alzheimer’s disease. [PLoS One] Full Article

Induced Neural Stem Cells Achieve Long-Term Survival and Functional Integration in the Adult Mouse Brain
Induced neural stem cells (iNSCs) offer an attractive alternative to induced pluripotent stem cell technology with regard to regenerative therapies. Scientists show an in vivo long-term analysis of transplanted iNSCs in the adult mouse brain. iNSCs showed sound in vivo long-term survival rates without graft overgrowths.
[Stem Cell Rev Rep] Full Article | Press Release

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Final Patient Treated In Neuralstem Phase II ALS Stem Cell Trial
Neuralstem, Inc. announced that the final patient was treated in its Phase II trial using NSI-566 spinal cord-derived neural stem cells in the treatment of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS or Lou Gehrig’s disease).
[Neuralstem, Inc.] Press Release

Kadimastem to Collaborate with Merck Serono to Advance Combined Efforts in Neurodegenerative Disease Area
Kadimastem reports that it has signed a collaboration agreement with Merck to carry out drug screening in the neurodegenerative diseases space for multiple sclerosis, and potential other neurodegenerative diseases. [Kadimastem, Ltd.] Press Release

AbbVie Receives EMA and FDA Orphan Drug Designation for Investigational Compound ABT-414 in the Treatment of Glioblastoma Multiforme
AbbVie announced the European Medicines Agency and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration have granted orphan drug designation to AbbVie’s investigational compound ABT-414, an anti-epidermal growth factor receptor antibody drug conjugate, which is being evaluated for safety and efficacy in patients with glioblastoma multiforme. [AbbVie, Inc.] Press Release

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NEW Research Associate – Neuroscience (University of Cambridge)

Postdoctoral Position – Neural Extracellular Matrix (German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases)

Postdoctoral Position – Motor Neuron Biology (Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center)

Technical Account Manager (GlobalStem)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Immunity and Neurogenesis (Karolinska Institute)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Cell Biology (Yale University)

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

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.)

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