A BCL6/BCOR/SIRT1 Complex Triggers Neurogenesis and Suppresses Medulloblastoma by Repressing Sonic Hedgehog Signaling Scientists identified BCL6, a transcriptional repressor and lymphoma oncoprotein, as a pivotal factor required for neurogenesis and tumor suppression of medulloblastoma (MB). BCL6 is necessary for and capable of preventing the development of GNP-derived MB in mice, and can block the growth of human MB cells in vitro. [Cancer Cell] Full Article | Graphical Abstract Purkinje Neuron Ca2+ Influx Reduction Rescues Ataxia in SCA28 Model Researchers determined that mitochondria in cultured Afg3l2-deficient Purkinje cells (PCs) ineffectively buffer evoked Ca2+ peaks, resulting in enhanced cytoplasmic Ca2+ concentrations, which subsequently triggers dark degeneration of PC. [J Clin Invest] Full Article Extrachromosomal Driver Mutations in Glioblastoma and Low-Grade Glioma Alteration of the number of copies of double minutes (DMs) with oncogenic EGFR mutations in response to tyrosine kinase inhibitors is a novel adaptive mechanism of glioblastoma. Scientists provide evidence that such mutations in DMs, called here amplification-linked extrachromosomal mutations, originate extrachromosomally and could therefore be completely eliminated from the cancer cells. [Nat Commun] Abstract | Press Release Cortical Plasticity Induced by Transplantation of Embryonic Somatostatin or Parvalbumin Interneurons Researchers used medial ganglionic eminence transplantation carrying a conditional allele of diphtheria toxin alpha subunit and cell-specific expression of Cre recombinase to deplete parvalbumin or somatostatin-expressing interneurons selectively and to investigate the contributions of each of these types of interneurons to ocular dominance plasticity. [Proc Natl Acad Sci USA] Abstract Activation of α7 Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptors Protects Astrocytes against Oxidative Stress-Induced Apoptosis: Implications for Parkinson’s Disease Researchers showed that nicotine exerts a protective effect on H2O2-induced astrocyte apoptosis and glial cell-derived neurotrophic factor downregulation, and this effect was abolished by an α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor-selective antagonist. [Neuropharmacology] Abstract Neural Progenitor Cell Transplantation Promotes Neuroprotection, Enhances Hippocampal Neurogenesis, and Improves Cognitive Outcomes after Traumatic Brain Injury Neural progenitor cells (NPCs) displayed processes that extended into several remote structures, including the hippocampus and contralateral cortex. Both GFP- and human multineurotrophin-NPCs conferred significant preservation of pericontusional host tissues and enhanced hippocampal neurogenesis. [Exp Neurol] Abstract Third Harmonic Generation Microscopy as a Reliable Diagnostic Tool for Evaluating Lipid Body Modification during Cell Activation: The Example of BV-2 Microglia Cells Scientists showed that third harmonic generation (THG) imaging could discriminate between the control versus activated state of BV-2 cells not only as to THG signal intensity but also as to THG signal area, while verifying once more that the majority of the intracellular detected signal corresponds to lipid bodies. [J Struct Biol] Abstract β-Catenin Is Involved in Bex2 Down-Regulation Induced Glioma Cell Invasion/Migration Inhibition Scientists reported that brain expressed X-linked gene 2 (Bex2) down-regulation inhibited glioma cell migration and invasion by decreasing the nucleus and cytoplasm protein level of β-catenin. [Biochem Biophys Res Commun] Abstract miR-21 and miR-222 Inhibit Apoptosis of Adult Dorsal Root Ganglion Neurons by Repressing TIMP3 following Sciatic Nerve Injury Over-expression of microRNA (miR)-21 and miR-222 inhibited cell apoptosis and enhanced cell viability in cultured dorsal root ganglion neurons. IL-6 could induce up-regulation of miR-21 expression. [Neurosci Lett] Abstract Molecular Mechanisms Regulating the Defects in Fragile X Syndrome Neurons Derived from Human Pluripotent Stem Cells Researchers revealed aberrant regulation of neural differentiation and axon guidance genes in fragile X syndrome (FXS)-derived neurons, which are regulated by the RE-1 silencing transcription factor (REST). Moreover, they found REST to be elevated in FXS-derived neurons. [Stem Cell Rep] Full Article |