Figure 8.

Working model proposed for the Dex action. Dex induces activation of the autophagy process through the protein AMPK and the expression of several autophagy-related genes and the atrophy program. In addition, Dex triggers mitochondrial fragmentation and consequent mitophagy (A). The inhibition of DNM1L by Mdivi-1 disrupts the mitochondrial fragmentation, autophagy and mitophagy induced by Dex. Furthermore, there is an increment in Dex-induced autophagy-related genes and the atrophy program as consequent of the autophagy/mitophagy reduction (B).