Recent Advances in the Discovery of GSK-3 Inhibitors from Synthetic Origin in the Treatment of Neurological Disorders

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 ◽  
Author(s):  
Supriyo Saha ◽  
Dilipkumar Pal ◽  
Satish Balasaheb Nimse

Background: Glycogen synthase kinase 3 (GSK-3) is a serine/threonine kinase enzyme which controlled the neuronal functions such as neurite outgrowth, synapse formation, neurotransmission, and neurogenesis. The enzyme has two subunits as GSK-3α and GSK-3β. 4ACC, 1Q3D, 3AFG, 1UV5, 1Q5K are the important GSK-3 receptors isolated from Homo sapiens and Mus musculus. This enzyme mainly phosphorylates Tau protein with increased amount in neuronal fibres altogether with beta-amyloid plaques cause neuronal defects like Alzheimer, Parkinson’s and many more. Objective: We investigated the developments of various synthetic GSK-3 inhibitors responsible for the prevention and treatment of neurological disorders like Alzheimer disease, bipolar disorders, antidepressant, neuroprotective etc. Results and Conclusion: It was observed that structures of the GSK-3 inhibitors comprised of benzopyridine, benzthiazole, pyrazole, pyrazine, dioxolo-benzoxazin, oxadiazole, benzimidazole in the skeletal with cyclopropylamide, phenyl carbamothioate, 3-[(propan-2-yl)oxy]propan-1-amine in side chain. The molecules were evaluated against the effectivity of GSK-3, human adenosine kinase, cyclin dependent kinase, and phosphodiesterase-4 along with tail suspension test, forced swim test, percent neuronal survival and other cognitive behaviour. The observations confirmed the remarkable effects of the synthesized molecules to conquer Alzheimer, Parkinson’s depression, psychosis and other forms of neurological disorders.

2005 ◽  
Vol 33 (6) ◽  
pp. 1295-1298 ◽  
Author(s):  
P.C. Salinas

The formation of functional synapses requires a proper dialogue between incoming axons and their future synaptic targets. As axons approach their target, they are instructed to slow down and remodel to form proper presynaptic terminals. Although significant progress has been made in the identification of the mechanisms that control axon guidance, little is known about the mechanisms that regulate the conversion of actively growing axon into a presynaptic terminal. We found that Wnt secreted proteins are retrograde signals that regulate the terminal arborization of axons and synaptic differentiation. Wnts released from postsynaptic neurons induce extensive remodelling on incoming axons. This remodelling is manifested by a decrease in axon extension with a concomitant increase in growth-cone size. This morphological change is correlated with changes in the dynamics and organization of microtubules. Studies of a vertebrate synapse and the Drosophila neuromuscular junction suggest that a conserved Wnt signalling pathway modulates presynaptic microtubules as axons remodel during synapse formation. In this paper I discuss the role of the Wnt–Dvl (Dishevelled protein)–GSK-3β (glycogen synthase kinase-3β) signalling pathway in axon remodelling during synapse formation in the central nervous system.


2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (2) ◽  
pp. 153-160 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carla S. Francisco ◽  
Clara L. Javarini ◽  
Iatahanderson de S. Barcelos ◽  
Pedro A.B. Morais ◽  
Heberth de Paula ◽  
...  

Background: Glycogen synthase kinase-3 (GSK-3) is involved in the phosphorylation and inactivation of glycogen synthase. GSK-3 inhibitors have been associated with a variety of diseases, including Alzheimer´s disease (AD), diabetes type II, neurologic disorders, and cancer. The inhibition of GSK-3β isoforms is likely to represent an effective strategy against AD. Objective: The present work aimed to design and synthesize coumarin derivatives to explore their potential as GSK-3β kinase inhibitors. Method: The through different synthetic methods were used to prepare coumarin derivatives. The GSK-3β activity was measured through the ADP-Glo™ Kinase Assay, which quantifies the kinasedependent enzymatic production of ADP from ATP, using a coupled-luminescence-based reaction. A docking study was performed by using the crystallographic structure of the staurosporine/GSK-3β complex [Protein Data Bank (PDB) code: 1Q3D]. Results: The eleven coumarin derivatives were obtained and evaluated as potential GSK-3β inhibitors. Additionally, in silico studies were performed. The results revealed that the compounds 5c, 5d, and 6b inhibited GSK-3β enzymatic activity by 38.97–49.62% at 1 mM. The other coumarin derivatives were tested at 1 mM, 1 µM, and 1 nM concentrations and were shown to be inhibitor candidates, with significant IC50 (1.224–6.875 µM) values, except for compound 7c (IC50 = 10.809 µM). Docking simulations showed polar interactions between compound 5b and Lys85 and Ser203, clarifying the mechanism of the most potent activity. Conclusion: The coumarin derivatives 3a and 5b, developed in this study, showed remarkable activity as GSK-3β inhibitors.


2020 ◽  
Vol 16 (9) ◽  
pp. 1319-1327
Author(s):  
Ferdous Khan ◽  
Syed A. Kuddus ◽  
Md. H. Shohag ◽  
Hasan M. Reza ◽  
Murad Hossain

Background: An imbalance between pro-oxidants and antioxidants determines the level of oxidative stress which is implicated in the etiopathogenesis of various neuropsychiatric disorders including depression. Therefore, treatment with antioxidants could potentially improve the balance between pro-oxidants and antioxidants. Objective: The objective of this study was to evaluate the ability of astaxanthin, a potential antioxidant, to reduce reserpine-induced depression in BALB/c mice (Mus musculus). Methods: On the behavioral level, antidepressant property of astaxanthin (50 mg/kg, orally) on reserpine (2 mg/kg, subcutaneously) induced depressed mice was evaluated by Forced Swim Test (FST) and Tail Suspension Test (TST). In the biochemical level, the ability of astaxanthin to mitigate reserpine-induced oxidative stress was evaluated by the measurement of Malondialdehyde (MDA) and nitric oxide (NO) in brain, liver and plasma samples. On the other hand, the efficiency of astaxanthin to replenish glutathione depletion and antioxidant enzyme activity augmentation in the same samples were also investigated. Results: Astaxanthin was able to lower reserpine induced immobility time significantly (p<0.05) in FST and TST. Mice treated with astaxanthin showed significantly (p<0.05) low level of oxidative stress markers such as Malondialdehyde (MDA), Nitric Oxide (NO). Consistently, the level of reduced Glutathione (GSH), and the activity of Superoxide Dismutase (SOD) and catalase were augmented due to the oral administration of astaxanthin. Conclusion: This study suggests that astaxanthin reduces reserpine-induced oxidative stress and therefore might be effective in treating oxidative stress associated depression.


Biology ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (7) ◽  
pp. 610
Author(s):  
Robin Park ◽  
Andrew L. Coveler ◽  
Ludimila Cavalcante ◽  
Anwaar Saeed

Glycogen synthase kinase-3 beta is a ubiquitously and constitutively expressed molecule with pleiotropic function. It acts as a protooncogene in the development of several solid tumors including pancreatic cancer through its involvement in various cellular processes including cell proliferation, survival, invasion and metastasis, as well as autophagy. Furthermore, the level of aberrant glycogen synthase kinase-3 beta expression in the nucleus is inversely correlated with tumor differentiation and survival in both in vitro and in vivo models of pancreatic cancer. Small molecule inhibitors of glycogen synthase kinase-3 beta have demonstrated therapeutic potential in pre-clinical models and are currently being evaluated in early phase clinical trials involving pancreatic cancer patients with interim results showing favorable results. Moreover, recent studies support a rationale for the combination of glycogen synthase kinase-3 beta inhibitors with chemotherapy and immunotherapy, warranting the evaluation of novel combination regimens in the future.


Marine Drugs ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 19 (3) ◽  
pp. 149
Author(s):  
Shuwen Han ◽  
Chunlin Zhuang ◽  
Wei Zhou ◽  
Fener Chen

Glycogen synthase kinase 3β (GSK-3β) is a widely investigated molecular target for numerous diseases, and inhibition of GSK-3β activity has become an attractive approach for the treatment of diabetes. Meridianin C, an indole-based natural product isolated from marine Aplidium meridianum, has been reported as a potent GSK-3β inhibitor. In the present study, applying the structural-based optimization strategy, the pyrimidine group of meridianin C was modified by introducing different substituents based on the 2-aminopyrimidines-substituted pyrazolo pyridazine scaffold. Among them, compounds B29 and B30 showed a much higher glucose uptake than meridianin C (<5%) and the positive compound 4-benzyl-2-methyl-1,2,4-thiadiazolidine-3,5-dione (TDZD-8, 16%), with no significant toxicity against HepG2 cells at the same time. Furthermore, they displayed good GSK-3β inhibitory activities (IC50 = 5.85; 24.4 μM). These results suggest that these meridianin C analogues represent novel lead compounds with therapeutic potential for diabetes.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ilandarage Menu Neelaka Molagoda ◽  
Jayasingha Arachchige Chathuranga C Jayasingha ◽  
Yung Hyun Choi ◽  
Rajapaksha Gedara Prasad Tharanga Jayasooriya ◽  
Chang-Hee Kang ◽  
...  

AbstractFisetin is a naturally occurring flavonoid that possesses several pharmacological benefits including anti-inflammatory activity. However, its precise anti-inflammatory mechanism is not clear. In the present study, we found that fisetin significantly inhibited the expression of proinflammatory mediators, such as nitric oxide (NO) and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), and cytokines, such as interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophages. Additionally, fisetin attenuated LPS-induced mortality and abnormalities in zebrafish larvae and normalized the heart rate. Fisetin decreased the recruitment of macrophages and neutrophils to the LPS-microinjected inflammatory site in zebrafish larvae, concomitant with a significant downregulation of proinflammatory genes, such as inducible NO synthase (iNOS), cyclooxygenase-2a (COX-2a), IL-6, and TNF-α. Fisetin inhibited the nuclear localization of nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB), which reduced the expression of pro-inflammatory genes. Further, fisetin inactivated glycogen synthase kinase 3β (GSK-3β) via phosphorylation at Ser9, and inhibited the degradation of β-catenin, which consequently promoted the localization of β-catenin into the nucleus. The pharmacological inhibition of β-catenin with FH535 reversed the fisetin-induced anti-inflammatory activity and restored NF-κB activity, which indicated that fisetin-mediated activation of β-catenin results in the inhibition of LPS-induced NF-κB activity. In LPS-microinjected zebrafish larvae, FH535 promoted the migration of macrophages to the yolk sac and decreased resident neutrophil counts in the posterior blood island and induced high expression of iNOS and COX-2a, which was accompanied by the inhibition of fisetin-induced anti-inflammatory activity. Altogether, the current study confirmed that the dietary flavonoid, fisetin, inhibited LPS-induced inflammation and endotoxic shock through crosstalk between GSK-3β/β-catenin and the NF-κB signaling pathways.


Author(s):  
Jingjing Cong ◽  
Bei Cheng ◽  
Jinyu Liu ◽  
Ping He

AbstractVascular calcification (VC) is highly prevailing in cardiovascular disease, diabetes mellitus, and chronic kidney disease and, when present, is associated with cardiovascular events and mortality. The osteogenic differentiation of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) is regarded as the foundation for mediating VC. Related transcriptional enhancer factor (RTEF-1), also named as transcriptional enhanced associate domain (TEAD) 4 or transcriptional enhancer factor-3 (TEF-3), is a nuclear transcriptional factor with a potent effect on cardiovascular diseases, apart from its oncogenic role in the canonical Hippo pathway. However, the role and mechanism of RTEF-1 in VC, particularly in calcification of VSMCs, are poorly understood. Our results showed that RTEF-1 was reduced in calcified VSMCs. RTEF-1 significantly ameliorated β-glycerophosphate (β-GP)-induced VSMCs calcification, as detected by alizarin red staining and calcium content assay. Also, RTEF-1 reduced alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity and decreased expressions of osteoblast markers such as Osteocalcin and Runt-related transcription factor-2 (Runx2), but increased expression of contractile protein, including SM α-actin (α-SMA). Additionally, RTEF-1 inhibited β-GP-activated Wnt/β-catenin pathway which plays a critical role in calcification and osteogenic differentiation of VSMCs. Specifically, RTEF-1 reduced the levels of Wnt3a, p-β-catenin (Ser675), glycogen synthase kinase-3β (GSK-3β), and p-GSK-3β (Ser9), but increased the levels of p-β-catenin (Ser33/37). Also, RTEF-1 increased the ratio of p-β-catenin (Ser33/37) to β-catenin proteins and decreased the ratio of p-GSK-3β (Ser9) to GSK-3β protein. LiCl, a Wnt/β-catenin signaling activator, was observed to reverse the protective effect of RTEF-1 overexpression on VSMCs calcification induced by β-GP. Accordingly, Dickkopf-1 (Dkk1), a Wnt antagonist, attenuated the role of RTEF-1 deficiency in β-GP-induced VSMCs calcification. Taken together, we concluded that RTEF-1 ameliorated β-GP-induced calcification and osteoblastic differentiation of VSMCs by inhibiting Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway.


2008 ◽  
Vol 197 (2) ◽  
pp. 277-285 ◽  
Author(s):  
Georgia Frangioudakis ◽  
Gregory J Cooney

The aim of this study was to examine the effect of an acute, physiological increase in plasma free fatty acid (FFA) on initial signalling events in rat red quadriceps muscle (RQ). Male Wistar rats received a 7% glycerol (GLYC) or 7% Intralipid/heparin (LIP) infusion for 3 h, after which they were either killed or infused with insulin at a rate of 0.5 U/kg per h for 5 min, before RQ collection. Plasma FFAs were elevated to ∼2 mM in the LIP rats only. Insulin-stimulated insulin receptor (IR) Tyr1162/Tyr1163 phosphorylation and IR substrate (IRS)-1 Tyr612 phosphorylation were increased at least twofold over basal in GLYC rats with insulin and this increase was not significantly impaired in the LIP rats. However, there was no insulin-stimulated protein kinase B (PKB) Ser473 or glycogen synthase kinase (GSK)-3β Ser9 phosphorylation in the LIP rats, compared with at least a twofold increase over basal in GLYC rats for both proteins. c-Jun N-terminal kinase, inhibitor of κ kinase β and inhibitor of nuclear factor-κB phosphorylation and total protein expression, as well as Ser307-IRS-1 phosphorylation, were not altered by lipid infusion compared with GLYC infusion. These data indicate that acute, physiological elevation in FFA has a greater impact on insulin signalling downstream of IR and IRS-1, at the level of PKB and GSK-3β, and that under these conditions stress signalling pathways are not significantly stimulated. Decreased PKB and GSK-3β phosphorylation in RQ may therefore be primary determinants of the reduced insulin action observed in situations of acute FFA oversupply.


2002 ◽  
Vol 283 (2) ◽  
pp. C545-C551 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dharmesh R. Vyas ◽  
Espen E. Spangenburg ◽  
Tsghe W. Abraha ◽  
Thomas E. Childs ◽  
Frank W. Booth

To determine whether changes in glycogen synthase kinase-3β (GSK-3β) phosphorylation contribute to muscle hypertrophy, we delineated the effects of GSK-3β activity on C2C12 myotube size. We also examined possible insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) signaling of NFAT (nuclear factors of activated T cells)-inducible gene activity and possible modulation of NFAT activation by GSK-3β. Application of IGF-I (250 ng/ml) or LiCl (10 mM) alone (i.e., both inhibit GSK-3β activity) increased the area of C2C12 myotubes by 80 and 85%, respectively. The application of IGF-I (250 ng/ml) elevated GSK-3β phosphorylation and reduced GSK-3β kinase activity by ∼800% and ∼25%, respectively. LY-294002 (100 μM) and wortmannin (150 μM), specific inhibitors of phosphatidylinositol 3′-kinase, attenuated IGF-I-induced GSK-3β phosphorylation by 67 and 92%, respectively. IGF-I suppressed the kinase activity of GSK-3β. IGF-I (250 ng/ml), but not LiCl (10 mM), induced an increase in NFAT-activated luciferase reporter activity. Cotransfection of a constitutively active GSK-3β (cGSK-3β) inhibited the induction by IGF-I of NFAT-inducible reporter activity. LiCl, which inhibits GSK-3β, removed the block by cGSK-3β on IGF-I-inducible NFAT-responsive reporter gene activity. These data suggest that the IGF-I-induced increase in skeletal myotube size is signaled, in part, through the inhibition of GSK-3β.


1998 ◽  
Vol 18 (11) ◽  
pp. 6624-6633 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bin He ◽  
Yong-Hong Meng ◽  
Nahid F. Mivechi

ABSTRACT Heat shock transcription factor 1 (HSF-1) activates the transcription of heat shock genes in eukaryotes. Under normal physiological growth conditions, HSF-1 is a monomer. Its transcriptional activity is repressed by constitutive phosphorylation. Upon activation, HSF-1 forms trimers, acquires DNA binding activity, increases transcriptional activity, and appears as punctate granules in the nucleus. In this study, using bromouridine incorporation and confocal laser microscopy, we demonstrated that newly synthesized pre-mRNAs colocalize to the HSF-1 punctate granules after heat shock, suggesting that these granules are sites of transcription. We further present evidence that glycogen synthase kinase 3β (GSK-3β) and extracellular signal-regulated kinase mitogen-activated protein kinase (ERK MAPK) participate in the down regulation of HSF-1 transcriptional activity. Transient increases in the expression of GSK-3β facilitate the disappearance of HSF-1 punctate granules and reduce hsp-70 transcription after heat shock. We have also shown that ERK is the priming kinase for GSK-3β. Taken together, these results indicate that GSK-3β and ERK MAPK facilitate the inactivation of activated HSF-1 after heat shock by dispersing HSF-1 from the sites of transcription.


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