Figure 6.

Scheme of the proposed mechanism for the time-dependent dynamic modulation of GLAST protein expression upon inhibition of CaN in astrocytes. Left astrocyte, protein synthesis and protein degradation are in equilibrium maintaining constant expression of GLAST. Middle astrocyte, short-term CaN inhibition by FK506 results in a prevalent inhibition of protein synthesis resulting in downregulation of GLAST. Right astrocyte, long-term pharmacological CaN inhibition or knock-out of CaN in astrocytes result in prevailing effect on the inhibition of protein degradation over the inhibition of protein synthesis, resulting in slowing down the GLAST turnover and its accumulation. The time-dependent effect of CaN inhibition on dynamics of other proteins in the cell may differ from that of GLAST.