Hypoxia/Hif1α prevents premature neuronal differentiation of neural stem cells through the activation of Hes1.

Embryonic neural stem cells (NSCs), comprising neuroepithelial and radial glial cells, are indispensable precursors of neurons and glia in the mammalian developing brain. Since the process of neurogenesis occurs in a hypoxic environment, the question arises of how NSCs deal with low oxygen tension and whether it affects their stemness. Genes from the hypoxia-inducible factors (HIF) family are well known factors governing cellular response to hypoxic conditions.

Selective elimination of neuroblastoma cells by synergistic effect of Akt kinase inhibitor and tetrathiomolybdate.

Neuroblastoma is the most common extracranial solid tumour of infancy. Pathological activation of glucose consumption, glycolysis and glycolysis-activating Akt kinase occur frequently in neuroblastoma cells, and these changes correlate with poor prognosis of patients. Therefore, several inhibitors of glucose utilization and the Akt kinase activity are in preclinical trials as potential anti-cancer drugs.