Neural Cell News Volume 9.03 | Jan 28 2015

Pathological Axonal Death through a MAPK Cascade that Triggers a Local Energy Deficit
Using traumatic injury as a model, scientists systematically investigated mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) families and delineate a MAPK cascade that represents the early degenerative response to axonal injury. [Cell] Abstract | Graphical Abstract | Press Release

High Salt Intake Increases Blood Pressure via BDNF-Mediated Downregulation of KCC2 and Impaired Baroreflex Inhibition of Vasopressin Neurons
Researchers show that chronic high salt intake impairs baroreceptor inhibition of rat vasopressin neurons through a brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF)-dependent activation of TrkB receptors and downregulation of KCC2 expression, which prevents inhibitory GABAergic signaling. [Neuron] Abstract | Press Release

IL-10 Alters Immunoproteostasis in APP Mice, Increasing Plaque Burden and Worsening Cognitive Behavior
To explore how anti-inflammatory cytokine signaling affects Aβ pathology, scientists investigated the effects of adeno-associated virus-mediated expression of interleukin-10 in the brains of APP transgenic mouse models. [Neuron] Abstract | Press Release

Dysregulation of miR-34a Links Neuronal Development to Genetic Risk Factors for Bipolar Disorder
Scientists show that levels of microRNA (miR)-34a, which is predicted to target multiple genes implicated as genetic risk factors for bipolar disorder (BD), are increased in postmortem cerebellar tissue from BD patients, as well as in BD patient-derived neuronal cultures generated by reprogramming of human fibroblasts into induced neurons or into induced pluripotent stem cells subsequently differentiated into neurons. [Mol Psych] Abstract

Astrocytic Adenosine Receptor A_2A and G_s-Coupled Signaling Regulate Memory
Researchers found that humans with Alzheimer’s disease had increased levels of the G_s-coupled adenosine receptor A_2A in astrocytes. [Nat Neurosci] Abstract | Press Release

The Transcription Factor Nerfin-1 Prevents Reversion of Neurons into Neural Stem Cells
Researchers show that the Drosophila zinc finger transcription factor nervous fingers 1 (Nerfin-1) locks neurons into differentiation, preventing their reversion into neuroblasts. Following prospero-dependent neuronal specification in the ganglion mother cell, a Nerfin-1-specific transcriptional program maintains differentiation in the post-mitotic neurons. [Genes Dev] Abstract | Press Release

The Adhesion GPCR ​Gpr56 Regulates Oligodendrocyte Development via Interactions with Gα_12/13 and ​RhoA
Investigators used zebrafish and mouse models to dissect the function of the adhesion class of G protein-coupled receptor ​Gpr56 in oligodendrocyte development. They show that ​gpr56 is expressed during early stages of oligodendrocyte development. [Nat Commun] Abstract | Press Release

PACT/RAX Regulates the Migration of Cerebellar Granule Neurons in the Developing Cerebellum
Researchers investigated the expression of RAX during the postnatal development of the mouse cerebellum and its role in the migration of cerebellar granule neurons. [Sci Rep] Full Article

Ethanol Deregulates Mecp2/MeCP2 in Differentiating Neural Stem Cells via Interplay between 5-Methylcytosine and 5-Hydroxymethylcytosine at the Mecp2 Regulatory Elements
To study the effect of ethanol on methyl CpG binding protein 2 (Mecp2)/MeCP2 expression during neurodifferentiation, scientists established an in vitro model of ethanol exposure, using differentiating embryonic brain-derived neural stem cells. [Exp Neurol] Abstract

Investigating the Neuro-Glial Differentiation Effect of Neuroblastoma Conditioned Medium in Human Endometrial Stem Cells Cultured on 3D Nanofibrous Scaffold
Researchers investigated the differentiation ability of human endometrial stem cells cultured on polylactic acid/chitosan nanofibrous scaffold into neuro-glial cells in response to conditioned medium of BE(2)-C human neuroblastoma cells and growth factors. [J Biomed Mater Res A] Abstract

Epigallocatechin-3-Gallate, a Promising Molecule for Parkinson’s Disease?
This review appraises the available literature on the beneficial role of epigallocatechin-3-gallate pertaining to dopaminergic degeneration characteristic of Parkinson’s disease with particular emphasis on its possible mechanisms of action. [Rejuvenation Res] Abstract

Visit our reviews page to see a complete list of reviews in the neural cell research field.

MIT’s Ed Boyden to Receive Andrew Carnegie Prize in Mind and Brain Sciences
Carnegie Mellon University will award the third annual Andrew Carnegie Prize in Mind and Brain Sciences to Ed Boyden, associate professor of biological engineering and brain and cognitive sciences at the MIT Media Lab and the MIT McGovern Institute. [Carnegie Mellon University] Press Release

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Director (California Institute for Regenerative Medicine)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Prion Research (Van Andel Research Institute)

Faculty Position – Neuroscience (North Carolina State University)

Postdoctoral Fellowship – CNS Inflammation (Rutgers University)

Postdoctoral Research Fellow – Post-Transcriptional Gene Regulation Governing Cancer Cell Behavior (Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center)

Postdoctoral Researcher – Epigenetic Mechanisms and Behavioral Outcomes of Developmental Neurotoxicity (Thomas Jefferson University)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Wnt Signaling in Development and Disease (Van Andel Research Institute)

Tenure-Track Position – Cellular/Molecular Neuroscience (Carnegie Mellon University)

Postdoctoral Position – Morphogenetic Signaling Pathways in Development and Disease (University of Rochester Medical Center)

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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