Neural Cell News Volume 9.18 | May 13 2015

Neuronal Development Is Promoted by Weakened Intrinsic Antioxidant Defences Due to Epigenetic Repression of Nrf2
Scientists showed that early in mouse cortical neuronal development in vitro and in vivo, expression of the master-regulator of antioxidant genes, transcription factor NF-E2-related-factor-2 (Nrf2), is repressed by epigenetic inactivation of its promoter. [Nat Commun] Full Article

Differential Connexin Function Enhances Self-Renewal in Glioblastoma
Scientists found that glioblastoma cancer stem cells possess functional gap junctions that can be targeted using clinically relevant compounds to reduce self-renewal and tumor growth. [Cell Rep]
Full Article | Graphical Abstract

Feedback Circuitry between miR-218 Repression and RTK Activation in Glioblastoma
Researchers found that decreased miR-218 expression in glioblastoma cells also increased the expression of genes encoding additional upstream and downstream components of receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) signaling pathways, including the RTK platelet-derived growth factor receptor α and the kinases ribosomal S6 kinase 2 and S6 kinase 1, that collectively overrode the negative feedback mechanism. [Sci Signal] Abstract

Bisphenol-A Mediated Inhibition of Hippocampal Neurogenesis Attenuated by Curcumin via Canonical Wnt Pathway
Researchers assessed the neuroprotective efficacy of curcumin against bisphenol A (BPA)-mediated reduced neurogenesis and the underlying cellular and molecular mechanisms. Both in vitro and in vivo studies showed that curcumin protects against BPA-induced hippocampal neurotoxicity. [Mol Neurobiol] Abstract

A Molecular Model for Neurodevelopmental Disorders
The authors tested the convergent effects of methyl-CpG binding domain 5 and special AT-rich binding protein 2 reduced dosage in human neural stem cells, two genes implicated in 2q23.1 and 2q33.1 deletion syndromes, respectively, to develop a generalized model for neurodevelopmental disorders. [Transl Psych] Full Article

Isolation of Human Adult Olfactory Sphere Cells as a Cell Source of Neural Progenitors
Adult human olfactory spheres (OSs) were generated and their characteristics analyzed. In culture to induce differentiation of oligodendrocytes, human OS cells expressed neuronal markers, but neither oligodendrocyte or astrocyte markers. [Stem Cell Res] Full Article

Cochlear Nucleus Whole Mount Explants Promote the Differentiation of Neuronal Stem Cells from the Cochlear Nucleus in Co-Culture Experiments
Scientists investigated whether the neurogenic environment of the cochlear nucleus can promote the survival of engrafted neuronal stem cells (NSCs) and whether cochlear nucleus-derived NSCs can differentiate into neurons and glia in brain tissue. [Brain Res] Abstract

Acrylamide Inhibits Cellular Differentiation of Human Neuroblastoma and Glioblastoma Cells
Investigators explored human neuroblastoma and human glioblastoma cellular differentiation changes under exposure to acrylamide. [Food Chem Toxicol] Abstract

Upregulation of Slc38a1 Gene Along with Promotion of Neurosphere Growth and Subsequent Neuronal Specification in Undifferentiated Neural Progenitor Cells Exposed to Theanine
Sustained exposure to theanine, but not glutamine, accelerated the growth of neurospheres composed of proliferating cells and 3-(4,5-dimethyl-2-thiazolyl)-2,5-diphenyl-2H-tetrazolium bromide reducing activity at concentrations of 1–100 μM in undifferentiated progenitor cells. [Neurochem Res] Abstract

Astrocyte Development: A Guide for the Perplexed
The authors provide an overview of astrocyte development, including recent insights into molecular mechanisms of astrocyte specification, regional patterning and proliferation. [Glia] Abstract

The Role of Cannabinoids in Adult Neurogenesis
The authors summarize the evidence that the cannabinoid system is intricately associated with neuronal differentiation and maturation of neural progenitor cells, and highlight intrinsic/extrinsic signaling mechanisms that are cannabinoid targets. [Br J Pharmacol] Abstract

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DelMar Pharmaceuticals to Present Additional Data on VAL-083 as a Potential Treatment for Temozolomide-Resistant GBM
DelMar Pharmaceuticals, Inc. announced that it will be presenting additional data on VAL-083 as a potential new treatment for temozolomide-resistant glioblastoma multiforme (GBM). [Press release from DelMar Pharmaceuticals, Inc. discussing research to be presented at the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) Advances in Brain Cancer Research Conference, Washington D.C.] Press Release

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GenSpera Expands Phase II Glioblastoma Trial of Mipsagargin
GenSpera, Inc. announced the successful completion of the first stage of an ongoing Phase II study of its lead investigational agent, mipsagargin, in glioblastoma and the continuation of enrollment for an expansion Phase of the trial. [GenSpera, Inc.] Press Release

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)

Research Associate – Cell Separation (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

Postdoctoral Fellowships – Neurodevelopment (Vollum Institute)

Postdoctoral Fellowship – Modeling of Frontotemporal Dementia Using iPSC (KU Leuven)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Neural Tissue Engineering (Nanyang Technological University)

Faculty Positions (IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research at Peking University)

PhD Studentship – Neurobiology (Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia)

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

Postdoctoral Positions – Stem Cell Biology (University of Wisconsin – Madison)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Development of the Nervous System and the Origin of Neural Diversity (Columbia University Medical Center)

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