Glycogen synthase kinase 3β in tumorigenesis and oncotherapy (Review)

Rui He1, Suya Du2, Tiantian Lei3

  • 1Department of Union, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, P.R. China.

Oncology Reports
|October 30, 2020
PubMed

Insights

Glycogen synthase kinase 3β (GSK3β) has dual roles in cancer, promoting and suppressing tumors. Further research is needed to understand its complex mechanisms in tumorigenesis and its potential as an anticancer therapy target.

Area of Science:

  • Biochemistry
  • Molecular Biology
  • Oncology

Background:

  • Glycogen synthase kinase 3β (GSK3β) is a key kinase regulating diverse cellular processes.
  • Dysregulation of GSK3β is implicated in numerous diseases, including cancer, diabetes, and neurodegenerative disorders.
  • GSK3β's specific role in tumorigenesis is complex, exhibiting both tumor-suppressive and tumor-promoting activities.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To comprehensively review the multifaceted roles of GSK3β in cancer development and progression.
  • To elucidate the underlying mechanisms of GSK3β in tumorigenesis.
  • To evaluate the therapeutic potential of targeting GSK3β in oncotherapy.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of studies on GSK3β in cancer.
  • Analysis of experimental data on GSK3β's function in cell proliferation, apoptosis, and metabolism.
  • Synthesis of information regarding GSK3β's involvement in tumor suppression and activation.

Main Results:

  • GSK3β overexpression is linked to tumor growth but can enhance chemotherapy sensitivity.
  • The precise regulatory mechanisms of GSK3β in cancer remain incompletely understood.
  • GSK3β demonstrates a controversial, bifacial role in tumorigenesis, acting as both a tumor suppressor and promoter.

Conclusions:

  • GSK3β is a critical regulator in tumorigenesis with complex, context-dependent functions.
  • Understanding GSK3β's dual role is essential for developing effective cancer therapies.
  • GSK3β presents a promising target for novel oncotherapy strategies.

Related Concept Videos

mTOR Signaling and Cancer Progression03:03

mTOR Signaling and Cancer Progression

The mammalian target of rapamycin or mTOR protein was discovered in 1994 due to its direct interaction with rapamycin. The protein gets its name from a yeast homolog called TOR. The mTOR protein complex in mammalian cells plays a major role in balancing anabolic processes such as the synthesis of proteins, lipids, and nucleotides and catabolic processes, such as autophagy in response to environmental cues, such as availability of nutrients and growth factors.
The mTOR pathway or the...
4.3K
PI3K/mTOR/AKT Signaling Pathway01:22

PI3K/mTOR/AKT Signaling Pathway

The mammalian target of rapamycin  (mTOR) is a serine/threonine kinase that regulates growth, proliferation, and cell survival in response to hormones, growth factors, or nutrient availability. This kinase exists in two structurally and functionally distinct forms: mTOR complex 1  (mTORC1) and mTOR complex 2  (mTORC2). The first form (mTORC1) is composed of a rapamycin-sensitive Raptor and proline-rich Akt substrate, PRAS40. In contrast,  mTORC2 consists of a...
4.9K
TGF - β Signaling Pathway01:16

TGF - β Signaling Pathway

The TGF-β signaling pathway regulates cell growth, differentiation, adhesion, motility, and development. TGF-β ligands that induce TGF-β signaling are synthesized in their latent form. Several proteases or cell surface receptors such as integrins act upon the latent form, releasing the active ligand. There are three types of mammalian TGF-βs: (TGF-β1, TGF-β2, and TGF-β3) that bind as homodimers or heterodimers to TGF-β receptors. The TGF-β receptors...
9.7K
Interactions Between Signaling Pathways01:19

Interactions Between Signaling Pathways

Signaling cascades usually lack linearity. Multiple pathways interact and regulate one another, allowing cells to integrate and respond to diverse environmental stimuli.
Convergence and divergence, and cross-talk between signaling pathways
Two distinct signaling pathways can converge on a single functional unit, which may either be a single protein or a complex of proteins. The response is either functionally distinct or synergistic between the two pathways but different from the response...
7.0K
Cancer-Critical Genes I: Proto-oncogenes01:33

Cancer-Critical Genes I: Proto-oncogenes

Genes usually encode proteins necessary for the proper functioning of a healthy cell. Mutations can often cause changes to the gene expression pattern, thereby altering the phenotype.
When the function of certain critical genes, especially those involved in cell cycle regulation and cell growth signaling cascades, gets disrupted, it upsets the cell cycle progression. Such cells with unchecked cell cycles start proliferating uncontrollably and eventually develop into tumors.
Such genes that act...
10.3K
Mitogens and the Cell Cycle02:38

Mitogens and the Cell Cycle

Mitogens and their receptors play a crucial role in controlling the progression of the cell cycle. However, the loss of mitogenic control over cell division leads to tumor formation. Therefore, mitogens and mitogen receptors play an important role in cancer research. For instance, the epidermal growth factor (EGF) - a type of mitogen and its transmembrane receptor (EGFR), decides the fate of the cell's proliferation. When EGF binds to EGFR, a member of the ErbB family of tyrosine kinase...
7.5K