New Insights into the Role of Glycogen Synthase Kinase (GSK) in Health, Metabolism and Diseases

Dear Colleagues,

We would like you to submit a manuscript or review article on GSK-3 signaling and human disease.

Glycogen synthase kinase-3 (GSK-3) was isolated originally due to its role in the regulation of glycogen synthase (GS) activity. It was soon discovered that GSK-3 had critical functions in the modulation of many proteins involved in various physiological processes ranging from the regulation of cell growth, metabolism, cancer, and neurology. The activity of the GSK kinase is often aberrantly regulated in various diseases including cancers and brain disorders. Due to the diversity of GSK-3 cellular targets, global inhibition of the kinase may lead to severe side-effects. Thus, a selective modulation of a specific cellular pool of GSK-3 or specific down- or upstream partners of the kinase might provide more efficient therapies. The roles that GSK-3 plays in various diseases, as well as how this pivotal kinase interacts with multiple signaling pathways such as HEDGEHOG, NOTCH, PI3K/PTEN/Akt/mTOR, RAS/RAF/MEK/ERK, TP53, WNT/beta-catenin, and others will be discussed. Mutations that occur in these and other pathways can alter the effects that GSK-3 activity has on regulating these signaling circuits that can lead to various diseases. The roles that microRNAs play in GSK-3 regulation will also be evaluated. Targeting GSK-3 and these other pathways may improve therapy and overcome therapeutic resistance. In this special issue of Cells, manuscripts will discuss various novel aspects concerning the pleiotropic activities of GSK-3 and how they affect human health and disease progression.

Prof. Dr. James Andrew McCubrey
Collection Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

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