The role of glycogen synthase kinase-3beta in schizophrenia

Drug News Perspect. 2007 Sep;20(7):437-45. doi: 10.1358/dnp.2007.20.7.1149632.

Abstract

Glycogen synthase kinase (GSK)-3beta is recognized as a ubiquitous multifunctional enzyme involved in the modulation of many aspects of neuronal function. Inhibitory control of GSK-3beta has been identified to be crucial for the phosphoinositide 3'-kinase (PI3K)-protein kinase B (Akt)-mediated cell survival. Several lines of evidence converge in implicating abnormal GSK-3beta activity in the pathogenesis of schizophrenia. Preclinical evidence showing that both typical and atypical antipsychotics can indirectly inhibit the activity of GSK-3beta, has pointed to GSK-3beta as a possible therapeutic target for schizophrenia. It is well known that GSK-3beta can be indirectly inhibited via regulation of several intracellular signaling cascades, including the canonical Wnt, Reelin and tyrosine kinase receptor (Trk)-PI3K-Akt. Recently, direct inhibition of GSK-3beta has emerged as a possible option in the pharmacotherapy of several neuropsychiatric disorders. There is, however, a number of issues that need to be considered regarding therapeutic utility of GSK-3beta inhibitors. This article reviews the evidence supporting the possible role of aberrant GSK-3beta in the pathogenesis of schizophrenia and thus suggesting GSK-3beta to be a potential therapeutic target for this disorder.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Antipsychotic Agents / pharmacology
  • Antipsychotic Agents / therapeutic use
  • Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor / metabolism
  • Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor / physiology
  • Drug Therapy / trends
  • Enzyme Inhibitors / pharmacology
  • Enzyme Inhibitors / therapeutic use*
  • Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3 beta
  • Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3* / adverse effects
  • Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3* / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3* / physiology
  • Humans
  • Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases / metabolism
  • Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases / physiology
  • Reelin Protein
  • Schizophrenia* / drug therapy
  • Schizophrenia* / etiology
  • Schizophrenia* / metabolism
  • Signal Transduction / drug effects
  • Signal Transduction / physiology

Substances

  • Antipsychotic Agents
  • Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor
  • Enzyme Inhibitors
  • Reelin Protein
  • GSK3B protein, human
  • Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3 beta
  • Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3
  • RELN protein, human