Neural Cell News Volume 8.42 | Oct 29 2014

Stochastic Nanoroughness Modulates Neuron-Astrocyte Interactions and Function via Mechanosensing Cation Channels
The authors theorize a role for topography in neuronal development and demonstrate that survival and function of hippocampal neurons and differentiation of telencephalic neural stem cells is modulated by nanoroughness. [Proc Natl Acad Sci USA] Abstract

Stretch-Activated Ion Channel Piezo1 Directs Lineage Choice in Human Neural Stem Cells
Investigators found that the mechanically gated ion channel Piezo1 is expressed by brain-derived human neural stem/progenitor cells and is responsible for a mechanically induced ionic current. [Proc Natl Acad Sci USA] Abstract

The Nuclear Receptor NR2E1/TLX Controls Senescence
The nuclear receptor NR2E1 controls the self-renewal of neural stem cells (NSCs) and has been implied as an oncogene which initiates brain tumors including glioblastomas. Scientists confirmed that NR2E1 regulates CBX7 and restrains senescence in NSCs. [Oncogene] Abstract

Sorting Nexin 27 Regulates Aβ Production through Modulating γ-Secretase Activity
Scientists report a function of SNX27 in regulating β-amyloid (Aβ) generation by modulating γ-secretase activity. Genetic deletion of Snx27 promoted Aβ production and neuronal loss, whereas overexpression of SNX27 using an adeno-associated viral vector reduced hippocampal Aβ levels in a transgenic Alzheimer’s disease mouse model. [Cell Rep] Full Article | Graphical Abstract | Press Release

Expression Quantitative Trait Loci and Receptor Pharmacology Implicate Arg1 and the GABA-A Receptor as Therapeutic Targets in Neuroblastoma
Researchers combined genetics with gene-expression analysis in the peripheral sympathetic nervous system to implicate arginase 1 and GABA signaling in tumor formation in vivo. In human neuroblastoma cells, either blockade of ARG1 or benzodiazepine-mediated activation of GABA-A receptors induced apoptosis and inhibited mitogenic signaling through AKT and MAPK. [Cell Rep] Full Article | Graphical Abstract

Engineering Toxin-Resistant Therapeutic Stem Cells to Treat Brain Tumors
Scientists created toxin-resistant stem cells by modifying endogenous elongation factor-2, and engineered them to secrete pseudomonas exotoxin-cytotoxins targeting IL13Rα2 and EGFR expressed by many glioblastomas. [Stem Cells] Abstract | Press Release

Huntingtin Promotes mTORC1 Signaling in the Pathogenesis of Huntington’s Disease
Investigators found that huntingtin (Htt) promotes signaling by mTORC1 (mechanistic target of rapamycin [mTOR] complex 1) and that this signaling is potentiated by poly-Q-expanded Htt. Knocking out Htt in mouse embryonic stem cells or human embryonic kidney cells attenuated amino acid-induced mTORC1 activity, whereas overexpressing wild-type or poly-Q-expanded Htt in striatal neuronal cells increased basal mTOR activity. [Sci Signal] Abstract | Press Release

A Smoothened Receptor Agonist Is Neuroprotective and Promotes Regeneration after Ischemic Brain Injury
Investigators report the neuroprotective properties of a small-molecule agonist of the sonic hedgehog co-receptor Smoothened, purmorphamine (PUR), in the middle cerebral artery occlusion model of ischemic stroke. PUR increased the number of newly generated neurons in the peri-infarct and infarct area and promoted neovascularization in the ischemic zone. [Cell Death Dis] Full Article | Press Release

Lab-on-a-Brain: Implantable Micro-Optical Fluidic Devices for Neural Cell Analysis In Vivo
Scientists report a novel experimental platform, where the intact brain of a living mouse can be studied with the aid of a surgically implanted micro-optical fluidic device; acting as an interface between neurons and the outer world. [Sci Rep] Full Article | Press Release

miR-21 Improves the Neurological Outcome after Traumatic Brain Injury in Rats
Researchers found that upregulation of microRNA (miR)-21 level in brain conferred a better neurological outcome after traumatic brain injury (TBI) by improving long-term neurological function, alleviating brain edema and decreasing lesion volume. They evaluated the impact of miR-21 on apoptosis and angiogenesis in brain after TBI. [Sci Rep] Full Article

Decoding Neural Transcriptomes and Epigenomes via High-Throughput Sequencing
The authors offer some general and practical information to demystify next-generation sequencing technology and highlight its potential to the neuroscience field. [Nat Neurosci] Abstract

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Neuralstem Alzheimer’s Disease Animal Data Presented at the Congress of Neurological Surgeons Annual Meeting
Neuralstem, Inc. announced that the first data in a study transplanting its neural stem cells in an animal model of Alzheimer’s disease was presented. [Press release from Neuralstem, Inc. discussing research presented at the Congress of Neurological Surgeons (CNS) Annual Meeting, Boston] Press Release

Studies Confirm Potential of Trilexium for Childhood Cancers
Novogen released the results of two recently-completed studies of one of its lead candidate compounds, TRX-E-009-1, confirming its ability to kill pediatric brain cancer cells and clearing the way for the compound to come into the clinic as a potential treatment of childhood cancers. [Novogen Limited] Press Release

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Temple and CHOP to Explore Eradicating HIV from Hiding Places in the Brain
Temple University and Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) have received a joint $4.3 million, four-year grant from the National Institute of Mental Health to investigate new methods to eradicate HIV that lurks in brain cells despite conventional antiviral treatments. [Temple University] Press Release

BME Researchers Awarded $250,000 to Develop an Effective Treatment for Childhood Brain Tumors
Prayers from Maria Children’s Glioma Cancer Foundation announced that it will award its $250,000 Melana Matson Memorial Grant to Case Western Reserve University Case Comprehensive Cancer Center researchers who are studying the use of nanotechnology to more effectively treat pediatric glioma brain tumors.
[Case Western Reserve University] Press Release

New Brain Tumor Research Center of Excellence Is Unveiled at QMUL
Patients, carers, scientists, clinicians and charities from across the UK gathered for the launch of a ground-breaking new partnership between the charity Brain Tumor Research and Queen Mary University of London (QMUL) in collaboration with the UCL Institute of Neurology. [Queen Mary University of London ] Press Release

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NEW Postdoctoral Position – Stem Cell Biology (Northwestern University)

Lecturer – Infantile Neurology (Poznan University of Medical Sciences)

Faculty Positions – Personalized Medicine (University of Nevada, Las Vegas)

Associate/Full Professor – Rudi Schmid Endowed Chair in Neuroscience (University of California, San Francisco)

Tenure Track Positions – Neuroscience (Albert Einstein College of Medicine / Gottesman Stem Cell Institute)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Stem Cell Research (University of Wisconsin-Madison)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Tissue Engineering & Spinal Cord Injury (Nanyang Technological University)

Postdoctoral Candidate – Dynamic Organization of Synapses (INSERM)

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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