Review Article

GSK-3 𝜷 : A Bifunctional Role in Cell Death Pathways

Table 1

Conditions where GSK-3β facilitates apoptosis.

System or stimulusMechanism

C(2) Ceramide-associated damageInhibits the phosphorylation of AKT and ERK pathways and through the dephosphorylation of GSK-3β [51]. GSK-3β inhibitors have been shown to inhibit apoptosis through inhibiting dephosphorylation of AKT and GSK-3β [52].

LPS-mediated endotoxic shockWhile specific apoptotic studies have not been performed, LPS has been shown to stabilize apoptotic signal-regulating kinase-1 (ASK-1), a serine-threonine kinase associated with stress-induced apoptosis [53].

Immune systemRegulates in apoptosis of activated T-Cells [54].

HIV-mediated neuronal damageInhibits NF-κB [5557].

Neurodegenerative
disease-related toxicity and oxidative stress
Neuronal or oligodendrocyte injury or toxicity (including prion peptide) is associated with increased activity of GSK-3β[51, 5864].
Negative regulators of GSK-3β are associated with increased survival factors [51, 5864] and neuroprotection [9, 38].

ER stressER stress can lead to dephosphorylation of pGSK-3β(S9), leading to stress-induced apoptosis through activated caspase-3 [1214, 26, 28].

Hypoxia/ischemiaActivates mitochondrial death pathway [35, 6568].