Neural Cell News Volume 9.40 | Oct 21 2015

Small Molecules Efficiently Reprogram Human Astroglial Cells into Functional Neurons
Investigators report that a combination of small molecules can reprogram human astrocytes in culture into fully functional neurons. They demonstrated that sequential exposure of human astrocytes to a cocktail of nine small molecules that inhibit glial but activate neuronal signaling pathways can successfully reprogram astrocytes into neurons in 8-10 days. [Cell Stem Cell] Abstract | Press Release

Histone Deacetylase 6 Inhibition Enhances Oncolytic Viral Replication in Glioma
Researchers showed that histone deacetylase 6 (HDAC6) in tumor cells appears to alter the trafficking of post-entry oncolytic viruses from the nucleus toward lysosomes. In glioma cell lines and glioma-stem–like cells, HDAC6 inhibition by either pharmacologic or genetic means substantially increased replication of oncolytic herpes simplex virus type 1. [J Clin Invest] Abstract | Press Release

Neuron-Targeted Caveolin-1 Improves Molecular Signaling, Plasticity and Behavior Dependent on the Hippocampus in Adult and Aged Mice
Scientists assessed the impact of neuron-targeted overexpression of a membrane/lipid raft scaffold protein, caveolin-1 (via a synapsin promoter; SynCav1), in the hippocampus in vivo in adult and aged mice on biochemical, morphologic and behavioral changes. [Biol Psychiatry] Abstract | Press Release

Hoxa2 Selects Barrelette Neuron Identity and Connectivity in the Mouse Somatosensory Brainstem
Researchers found that ectopic Hoxa2 expression in dorsal PrV neurons was sufficient to attract whisker-related afferents, induce asymmetrical dendrite arbors, and allow ectopic barrelette map formation. [Cell Rep] Full Article | Graphical Abstract

Functional Regulation of FoxO1 in Neural Stem Cell Differentiation
Investigators demonstrated that FoxO1 contributes to neuronal stem/progenitor cell fate decision through its cooperation with the Notch signaling pathway. [Cell Death Differ] Abstract

Axon Regeneration Is Regulated by Ets-C/EBP Transcription Complexes Generated by Activation of the cAMP/Ca²⁺ Signaling Pathways
The authors identified ETS-4 and CEBP-1, related to mammalian Ets and C/EBP, respectively, as transcriptional activators of svh-2 expression following axon injury. [PLoS Genet] Full Article

Reduced Protein Synthesis in Schizophrenia Patient-Derived Olfactory Cells
Researchers used discovery-based proteomics and targeted functional analyses to reveal reductions in 17 ribosomal proteins, with an 18% decrease in the total ribosomal signal intensity in schizophrenia-patient-derived olfactory neurosphere-derived cells. [Transl Psychiatry] Abstract

Increased Abundance of Translation Machinery in Stem Cell–Derived Neural Progenitor Cells from Four Schizophrenia Patients
The authors demonstrated perturbed global protein translation in human-induced pluripotent stem cell-derived forebrain neural progenitor cells from four schizophrenia patients relative to six unaffected controls. [Transl Psychiatry] Abstract

Herpes Simplex Virus Type-1 Infection Induces Synaptic Dysfunction in Cultured Cortical Neurons via GSK-3 Activation and Intraneuronal Amyloid-β Protein Accumulation
The authors demonstrated that in cultured mouse cortical neurons herpes simplex virus type 1 induced Ca²⁺-dependent activation of glycogen synthase kinase (GSK)-3. [Sci Rep] Full Article

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DelMar Pharmaceuticals Announces the Completion of Enrollment in its Phase II Expansion Study of VAL-083 in Refractory Glioblastoma Multiforme
DelMar Pharmaceuticals, Inc. announced that the 14-patient expansion cohort of its Phase II clinical study of VAL-083 (dianhydrogalactitol) in patients with refractory glioblastoma multiforme is now fully enrolled. [DelMar Pharmaceuticals, Inc.] Press Release

National Funding Backs UQ’s Multi-Pronged Approach on Dementia
Six University of Queensland researchers will receive a total of almost $3.6 million in federal funding over four years to continue their work on dementia. [University of Queensland] Press Release

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Faculty Position – Neuroscience (Columbia University)

Research Associate – Drug Discovery (The Lieber Institute for Brain Development)

Faculty Position – Astrocyte Biology (Mayo Clinic)

Postdoctoral Research Scientist – Neuroscience (University of Oxford)

Assistant/Associate/Full Professor – Biomedical Engineering (Worcester Polytechnic Institute)

Faculty Position – Neuroscience (RIKEN Brain Science Institute)

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Postdoctoral Position – Brain Tumor Research (Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre)

Postdoctoral Position – Spinal Cord Injury Research (Indiana University-Purdue University)

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