Choroid plexus-derived miR-204 regulates the number of quiescent neural stem cells in the adult brain.

Regulation of adult neural stem cell (NSC) number is critical for lifelong neurogenesis. Here, we identified a post-transcriptional control mechanism, centered around the microRNA 204 (miR-204), to control the maintenance of quiescent (q)NSCs. miR-204 regulates a spectrum of transcripts involved in cell cycle regulation, neuronal migration, and differentiation in qNSCs.

Epithelial Sodium Channel Regulates Adult Neural Stem Cell Proliferation in a Flow-Dependent Manner.

One hallmark of adult neurogenesis is its adaptability to environmental influences. Here, we uncovered the epithelial sodium channel (ENaC) as a key regulator of adult neurogenesis as its deletion in neural stem cells (NSCs) and their progeny in the murine subependymal zone (SEZ) strongly impairs their proliferation and neurogenic output in the olfactory bulb. Importantly, alteration of fluid flow promotes proliferation of SEZ cells in an ENaC-dependent manner, eliciting sodium and calcium signals that regulate proliferation via calcium-release-activated channels and phosphorylation of ERK.