Role of Cofilin, an Actin Cytoskeletal Protein, in Ischemic Conditions: Potential Therapeutic Target for Ischemic Stroke

Cerebral ischemia or stroke is a condition associated with decreased blood supply to brain leading to death of neurons. It is associated with a diverse cascade of responses involving both degenerative and regenerative mechanisms. Actin cytoskeleton changes play a key role in mediating these responses. Cofilin, an actin cytoskeletal severing protein is known to be involved in early stages of apoptotic cell death. Evidence supports its intervention in progression of disease states like Alzheimer’s and ischemic kidney disease. We have hypothesized possible involvement of cofilin in cerebral ischemia and neurodegeneration. To investigate the potential actin cytoskeletal changes induced by cofilin in ischemia, various ischemic models such as oxidative stress, oxygen glucose deprivation (OGD) in vitro and permanent middle cerebral artery occlusion (pMCAO) in vivo were used. The expression profile studies by immunoblotting and fluorescence methods displayed decrease in phosphocofilin (inactive form of cofilin) levels with all models of ischemia implying stress induced cofilin activation. Furthermore, calcineurin and slingshot 1L (SSH) phosphatases were found to be the signaling mediators of the cofilin activation pathway in ischemia elucidated by our inhibitor studies. These results strongly support cofilin role in cerebral ischemia induced actin cytoskeleton alterations leading to cell damage. We believe targeting this protein mediator has a potential for therapeutic intervention in stroke.

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Science in Medicinal Chemistry (MSP)

Level thesis:degree_level

masters

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

College of Pharmacy

Grantor dc:publisher

University of Toledo Health Science Campus

Year dc:date

2013

Author dc:creator

• Madineni, Anusha

Contributors dc:contributor

• Shah, Zahoor

• Cellular Biology
• Neurosciences
• Pharmacology
• Pharmaceuticals
• Cofilin
• Neurodegeneration
• Cerebral ischemia

Statement dc:rights

• unrestricted
• This thesis or dissertation is protected by copyright: all rights reserved. It may not be copied or redistributed beyond the terms of applicable copyright laws.

Language dc:language

English

Repository record dc:identifier

http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=mco1364331841

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:etd.ohiolink.edu:mco1364331841