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Figure 2 | Journal of Translational Medicine

Figure 2

From: Perspective of synaptic protection after post-infarction treatment with statins

Figure 2

Schematic representations of cell signalling alteration following cerebral ischemia and Atorvastatin treatment. A) Sham, B) Ischemia and C) ATV-treated ischemia. A) NMDA receptors, synaptic adhesion proteins and PSD-95 are associated in the synapse. The stability of the actin cytoskeleton is regulated by the RhoGTPasas (Rac, RhoA) balance and microtubules by protein such as MAP2. B) After cerebral ischemia cell adhesion is lost by alteration in the cadherin-catenin complex; NMDA receptors and PSD-95 protein are distributed to the cytoplasm. The increased activity of RhoA, destabilizes actin cytoskeleton and GSK3b activation leads to tau hyperphosphorylation disassembling microtubules. C) Treatment with atorvastatin recovers the adhesion protein complex as well as the location NMDA receptor synapses associated to PSD-95. Additionally atorvastatin leads to AKT activation promoting cell survival. Recovery of the actin cytoskeleton is mediated by the increased activity of Rac and RhoA reduction, and finally atorvastatin stabilize microtubules.

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