[neverdem]

Bax limits adult neural stem cell persistence through caspase and IP3 receptor activation

Neural stem cells in the mammalian brain persist and are functional well into adulthood. There is, however, little insight into mechanisms that control adult neural stem cell survival. Mice deficient in the proapoptotic molecule Bax exhibit increased numbers of multipotent progenitor cells in the adult subventricular zone. In vitro, these progenitors behave as neural stem cells and utilize Bax and caspase activation to direct cell death. We demonstrate that the predominate mechanism underlying caspase and Bax-mediated adult neural stem cell death lies in the modulation of calcium flux through interaction with the IP3 receptor.

[neverdem]

SC ping

[brain bleeds red]

Cool.

[Republican Wildcat]

In the new study, which received partial funding from the federal government, Alvarez-Buylla and colleagues examined non-embryonic, neural stem cells called "B cells" in mice and tried to determine how they function.

Oops - the Bush Administration is supporting stem cell research? Wait - it's Forbes, so I guess the truth will be reported.

[mtbopfuyn]

Interesting.

[Dr. Scarpetta]

Thanks for the ping.