Neural Cell News Volume 9.28 | Jul 29 2015

MicroRNA-124 and -137 Cooperativity Controls Caspase-3 Activity through BCL2L13 in Hippocampal Neural Stem Cells
Scientists report for the first time that the atypical BCL2 protein BCL2L13 controls caspase-3 activity and cytochrome C release in neural stem/progenitor cells. Furthermore, they identified BCL2L13 as a novel target of the cooperative action of microRNA-124 and microRNA-137, both upregulated shortly after seizure induction. [Sci Rep] Full Article

Mitochondrial CB1 Receptor Is Involved in ACEA-Induced Protective Effects on Neurons and Mitochondrial Functions
Researchers used mouse models of cerebral ischemia/reperfusion, primary cultured hippocampal neurons exposed to oxygen-glucose deprivation/reoxygenation and Ca²⁺-induced injury in purified neuronal mitochondria to investigate the role of mtCB1R in neuroprotection. [Sci Rep] Full Article

Boundary Caps Give Rise to Neurogenic Stem Cells and Terminal Glia in the Skin
Researchers showed that boundary cap (BC) derivatives migrate along peripheral nerves to reach the skin, where they give rise to terminal glia associated with dermal nerve endings. Dermal BC derivatives also include cells that self-renew in sphere culture and have broad in vitro differentiation potential. [Stem Cell Reports] Full Article | Graphical Abstract

MicroRNA-153 Regulates the Acquisition of Gliogenic Competence by Neural Stem Cells
Scientists identified miRNA-153 (miR-153) as a modulator of the temporal regulation of neural stem/progenitor cell (NSPC) differentiation. Overexpression of miR-153 delayed the onset of astrogliogenesis and maintained NSPCs in an undifferentiated state in vitro and in the developing cortex. [Stem Cell Reports]
Full Article | Graphical Abstract

Sendai Virus-Mediated Expression of Reprogramming Factors Promotes Plasticity of Human Neuroblastoma Cells
The authors sought to reprogram neuroblastoma (NB) cell lines using an integration-free Sendai virus vector system. Of four NB cell lines examined, only SH-IN cells formed induced pluripotent stem cell-like colonies at approximately six weeks following transduction. [Cancer Sci] Abstract

Role of MicroRNA-146 in Proliferation and Differentiation of Mouse Neural Stem Cells
MicroRNA-146 overexpression and predicted target were used to study proliferation and differentiation of mouse neural stem cells. [Biosci Rep] Abstract

AF9 Promotes hESC Neural Differentiation through Recruiting TET2 to Neurodevelopmental Gene Loci for Methylcytosine Hydroxylation
Investigators showed that AF9 is necessary and sufficient for human embryonic stem cell (hESC) neural differentiation and neurodevelopmental gene activation. [Cell Discov] Full Article

TRPM7 and Its Role in Neurodegenerative Diseases
The authors focus on the emerging role of transient potential melastatin-7 (TRPM7) channel in not only regulating Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺ homeostasis necessary for biological functions, but also how alterations in TRPM7 function/expression could induce neurodegeneration. [Channels] Abstract

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CDRD & OICR Team Up to Advance Cutting-Edge New Cancer Treatments
Two of Canada’s leading drug research and commercialization centers have announced a call for proposals to help bring new cancer treatments to patients through collaborative technology-development projects from academic investigators across Canada. [Center for Drug Research and Development (CDRD)] Press Release

Sanofi and Regeneron Launch Major New Immuno-Oncology Collaboration
Sanofi and Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc. have entered into a new global collaboration to discover, develop and commercialize new antibody cancer treatments in the emerging field of immuno-oncology. [Sanofi] Press Release

Scripps Florida Scientists Receive $1.4 Million to Study Drug Candidates for Neurological Disorders and Other Diseases
Scientists from the Florida campus of The Scripps Research Institute have been awarded $1.4 million from the National Institute of Mental Health of the National Institutes of Health to explore the development of drug candidates for a wide range of conditions, including circadian rhythm disorders. [The Scripps Research Institute] Press Release

Scripps Florida Scientists Win $1.5 Million to Study New Strategies for Parkinson’s Disease and Other Disorders
Scientists from the Florida campus of The Scripps Research Institute have been awarded nearly $1.5 million from the National Institute of General Medical Sciences of the National Institutes of Health to explore the therapeutic potential of a class of proteins that play essential roles in the regulation and maintenance of human health. [The Scripps Research Institute] Press Release

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Research Associate – Cell Separation (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

Postdoctoral Positions – Cancer Research (Rutgers University)

Chemist/Biochemist/Nanotechnologist (Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico “Carlo Besta”)

Postdoctoral Fellowship – Neural Development and Cancer (Columbia University)

Postdoctoral Research Fellow/Research Assistant Professor – Neurodegenerative Diseases (The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology)

PhD Student – Biology of Brain Metastasis (Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Oncológicas)

Postdoctoral Research Fellow – Neural Development and Function (Mayo Clinic)

Junior Research Group for Neuroscientists (Werner Reichardt Centre for Integrative Neuroscience)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Neural Stem Cells (Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia)

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