ABSTRACT

All eukaryotes consist of kinases with a serine/threonine residue called glycogen synthase kinase 3 (GSK-3) which mediates cellular functions by causing phosphorylation of glycogen synthase and regulating glucose metabolism. It establishes disease mechanisms through cell signalling and different transcription factors. Glycogen synthase kinase-3β (GSK-3β) has pharmacological role in cardiac fibrosis, hyperlipidaemia, hyperglycaemia, hyperhomocysteinemia and in case of myocardial reperfusion injury and estrogen deficiency on the heart. The lead compounds were discovered from natural products possessing GSK-3β inhibitory activity. New signalling pathways involving mitochondrion have been investigated for ischemic preconditioning. GSK-3β may bind with mitochondrial protein and mediate mitochondrion function by binding with PI3K-Akt, PGC-1α, HK-II, PKCε subunits of mPTP. The present study explores the structural functionalities of GSK-3β and their contributory role in cardiac disorders and various other diseases. Therefore, GSK-3β is believed to be an imperative target for the discovery and development of newer drugs.