GSK-3 억제제 (GSK-3 Inhibitors)

GSK-3 inhibitors have emerged as promising tools in biomedical research, offering profound insights into the complex signaling networks regulated by glycogen synthase kinase (GSK)-3 and holding potential for therapeutic development across a spectrum of diseases, including neurodegenerative disorders, cancer, and type 2 diabetes. Glycogen synthase kinase-3, a serine/threonine kinase, exists in two major isoforms (GSK-3α and GSK-3β) that share high sequence homology but exhibit distinct tissue distribution and functional specificities, with GSK-3β being the more extensively studied isoform in pathological processes. As key regulators of numerous cellular pathways, GSK-3 enzymes modulate processes such as glycogen metabolism, cell cycle progression, apoptosis, and gene transcription by phosphorylating a diverse array of substrates. The development and application of GSK-3 inhibitors have thus become central to deciphering the intricate mechanisms underlying GSK-3-mediated signaling and exploring its therapeutic relevance.

아이소폼 선택적 제품

Cat.No. 제품명 정보 제품 사용 인용 제품 검증
S1263 CHIR-99021 (Laduviglusib) Laduviglusib (CHIR-99021, CT99021)는 IC50 값이 각각 10 nM 및 6.7 nM인 GSK-3α 및 GSK-3β 억제제입니다. 이는 사이클린 의존성 키나아제(CDKs)에 대한 교차 반응성을 나타내지 않으며 CDKs에 비해 GSK-3β에 대해 350배의 선택성을 보입니다. 이 화합물은 Wnt/β-catenin 활성제로 기능하며 autophagy를 유도합니다.
Cancer Cell, 2025, 43(4):776-796.e14
Circulation, 2025, 151(20):1436-1448
Nat Biomed Eng, 2025, 9(1):93-108
Verified customer review of CHIR-99021 (Laduviglusib)
S2924 Laduviglusib (CHIR-99021) Hydrochloride Laduviglusib (CHIR-99021; CT99021) HCl은 CHIR-99021의 염산염으로, IC50이 10 nM/6.7 nM인 GSK-3α/β 억제제입니다. CHIR-99021은 가장 가까운 동족체인 Cdc2 및 ERK2에 비해 GSK-3에 대해 500배 이상의 선택성을 보입니다. CHIR-99021은 Wnt/beta-catenin 신호 전달 경로의 강력한 약리학적 활성제입니다. CHIR-99021은 빛 유도 autophagy를 유의하게 구조하고 GR, RORα 및 autophagy 관련 단백질을 증가시킵니다.
Cell, 2025, 188(11):2974-2991.e20
Cell, 2025, S0092-8674(25)00807-4
Protein Cell, 2025, pwaf098
Verified customer review of Laduviglusib (CHIR-99021) Hydrochloride
S1075 SB216763 SB216763은 GSK-3α에 대한 IC50가 34.3 nM이고 인체 GSK-3β 억제에도 동등하게 효과적인 강력하고 선택적인 GSK-3 억제제입니다. 이 화합물은 autophagy를 활성화합니다.
iScience, 2025, 28(11):113642
iScience, 2025, 28(8):113117
Oncol Rep, 2025, 54(4)125
Verified customer review of SB216763
S2745 CHIR-98014 CHIR-98014 (CT98014)는 무세포 분석에서 IC50이 0.65nM/0.58nM인 강력한 GSK-3α/β 억제제로, GSK-3를 가장 가까운 동족체인 Cdc2 및 ERK2와 구별할 수 있습니다.
Med Oncol, 2025, 42(8):333
Stem Cell Res, 2025, 87:103797
Commun Med (Lond), 2025, 5(1):323
Verified customer review of CHIR-98014
S1590 TWS119 TWS119는 세포 없는 분석에서 IC50 30 nM의 GSK-3β 억제제이며, 이 화합물은 신경 분화를 유도할 수 있고 줄기세포 생물학에 유용할 수 있습니다. 이 화학 물질에 의한 GSK-3β 억제는 autophagy를 유발합니다.
Discov Oncol, 2025, 16(1):364
Nat Commun, 2024, 15(1):2089
Sci Rep, 2024, 14(1):5038
Verified customer review of TWS119
S7198 GSK-3 Inhibitor IX (BIO) BIO (GSK-3 Inhibitor IX, 6-bromoindirubin-3-oxime, 6-Bromoindirubin-3'-oxime, MLS 2052)는 세포 없는 분석에서 GSK-3α/β에 대해 5 nM의 IC50을 갖는 GSK-3의 특정 억제제이며, CDK5에 비해 16배 이상의 선택성을 보이며, Tyk2에 대해 30 nM의 IC50을 갖는 pan-JAK 억제제이기도 합니다. BIO는 인간 흑색종 세포에서 세포자멸사를 유도합니다.
Cell Rep, 2025, 44(3):115361
Development, 2025, 152(3)DEV204214
bioRxiv, 2025, 2025.04.11.648340
Verified customer review of GSK-3 Inhibitor IX (BIO)
S7063 LY2090314 LY2090314는 GSK-3α/β에 대한 강력한 GSK-3 억제제로 IC50은 1.5 nM/0.9 nM이며, 백금 기반 화학요법 요법의 효능을 개선할 수 있습니다. 이 화합물은 대규모 키나아제 패널에 대한 접힘 선택성을 통해 입증된 바와 같이 GSK3에 대해 높은 선택성을 가집니다.
Cell Mol Gastroenterol Hepatol, 2026, 20(1):101633
Cancer Cell, 2025, 43(4):776-796.e14
Cell Rep, 2025, 44(5):115617
Verified customer review of LY2090314
S2823 Tideglusib Tideglusib은 비세포성 분석에서 IC50이 60 nM인 비가역적, 비 ATP 경쟁적 GSK-3β 억제제입니다. 이 화합물은 활성 부위에 위치한 Cys-199와 상동적인 Cys를 가진 키나아제는 억제하지 못합니다. 2상.
Addict Biol, 2025, 30(5):e70044
Cell Rep, 2024, 43(9):114667
SLAS Discov, 2024, S2472-5552(24)00007-8
Verified customer review of Tideglusib
S2729 SB415286 SB415286은 78 nM/31 nM의 IC50/Ki를 가진 강력한 GSK3α 억제제이며, GSK-3β에 대해서도 동등하게 효과적인 억제력을 보입니다. 이 화합물은 MM 세포 성장 정지 및 apoptosis를 유발합니다.
bioRxiv, 2025, 2025.03.08.642085
Front Immunol, 2022, 13:880988
Sci Rep, 2022, 12(1):7
Verified customer review of SB415286
S7435 AR-A014418 AR-A014418 (GSK-3β Inhibitor VIII)은 ATP 경쟁적이며 선택적인 GSK3β 억제제로, 세포 없는 분석에서 IC50Ki가 104 nM 및 38 nM이며, 테스트된 26가지 다른 키나제에 대한 유의미한 억제는 없습니다.
Cancer Med, 2025, 14(5):e70047
NPJ Precis Oncol, 2024, 8(1):264
Commun Biol, 2024, 7(1):1380
Verified customer review of AR-A014418

Glycogen Synthase Kinase-3: Structure and Isoform-Specific Functions

Glycogen synthase kinase-3 (GSK-3) is a constitutively active kinase that was initially identified for its role in regulating glycogen synthesis by phosphorylating and inactivating glycogen synthase. Subsequent research has revealed that GSK-3 exists as two isoforms, GSK-3α (51 kDa) and GSK-3β (47 kDa), which are encoded by separate genes (GSK3A and GSK3B, respectively) and share approximately 97% homology in their catalytic domains but differ in their N- and C-terminal regions. These structural differences contribute to isoform-specific interactions with regulatory proteins and substrates, leading to distinct functional outcomes. GSK-3β, in particular, has been implicated in a wide range of disease-related pathways, making it a primary target for inhibitor development in research investigations.

Structural Basis of GSK-3 Kinase Activity

The catalytic domain of GSK-3 contains the conserved kinase fold, consisting of an N-terminal lobe rich in β-sheets and a C-terminal lobe dominated by α-helices, with the active site located at the interface between the two lobes. A unique feature of GSK-3 is its requirement for a "priming phosphate" on substrates, which binds to an arginine-rich pocket (the "priming site") adjacent to the active site, enabling efficient phosphorylation of the substrate at a serine or threonine residue four positions C-terminal to the priming phosphate. This priming-dependent mechanism distinguishes GSK-3 from many other kinases and dictates its substrate specificity. The constitutive activity of GSK-3 is attributed to the absence of an autoinhibitory domain, with regulation primarily occurring through post-translational modifications (e.g., phosphorylation, ubiquitination) and interactions with regulatory proteins.

Isoform-Specific Roles of GSK-3α and GSK-3β

While GSK-3α and GSK-3β share overlapping substrates and functions, accumulating evidence indicates isoform-specific roles in cellular processes and disease pathogenesis. GSK-3α is predominantly expressed in adipose tissue, liver, and brain, and has been linked to glycogen metabolism and insulin resistance. In contrast, GSK-3β is ubiquitously expressed and plays critical roles in inflammation, cell survival, and neurodegeneration. For example, in Alzheimer’s disease (AD), GSK-3β phosphorylates the microtubule-associated protein tau, leading to the formation of neurofibrillary tangles, a hallmark of AD pathology. In cancer, GSK-3β exhibits both tumor-promoting and tumor-suppressive roles depending on the cellular context, regulating the activity of oncogenes such as β-catenin and p53. These isoform-specific functions highlight the importance of developing selective GSK-3 inhibitors in research to dissect the distinct roles of GSK-3α and GSK-3β.

Pathway Modulation by GSK-3 Inhibitors: Key Signaling Networks

GSK-3 is a central node in numerous signaling pathways, integrating inputs from upstream regulators such as the PI3K/Akt, Wnt, and MAPK pathways. GSK-3 inhibitors exert their effects by disrupting these pathways, leading to downstream changes in gene expression and cellular function. Understanding the pathway-specific effects of GSK-3 inhibitors is critical for their application in research and therapeutic development, as it enables the identification of context-dependent outcomes and potential off-target effects.

Wnt/β-Catenin Pathway Regulation by GSK-3β Inhibitors

The Wnt/β-catenin pathway is one of the most well-characterized pathways regulated by GSK-3β. In the absence of Wnt signaling, GSK-3β forms a destruction complex with adenomatous polyposis coli (APC), axin, and casein kinase 1 (CK1), which phosphorylates β-catenin, targeting it for ubiquitination and proteasomal degradation. GSK-3β inhibitors disrupt this destruction complex, preventing β-catenin phosphorylation and leading to its accumulation in the cytoplasm and nucleus. Nuclear β-catenin then binds to T-cell factor/lymphoid enhancer factor (TCF/LEF) transcription factors, activating the expression of target genes involved in cell proliferation and differentiation. This pathway modulation is particularly relevant in stem cell research, where GSK-3 inhibitors are used to maintain pluripotency, and in cancer research, where aberrant Wnt/β-catenin signaling drives tumorigenesis.

PI3K/Akt Pathway and GSK-3 Kinase Inhibition

The PI3K/Akt pathway is a major upstream regulator of GSK-3, with Akt phosphorylating GSK-3α at Ser21 and GSK-3β at Ser9, leading to their inactivation. GSK-3 inhibitors mimic this inhibitory effect, bypassing upstream signaling events to directly block GSK-3 activity. This pathway modulation has significant implications in neurodegenerative disease research, as the PI3K/Akt/GSK-3 axis is dysregulated in AD, Parkinson’s disease, and Huntington’s disease. In preclinical studies, GSK-3 inhibitors have been shown to reduce tau phosphorylation, protect against neuronal apoptosis, and improve cognitive function in animal models of AD. Additionally, in metabolic research, GSK-3 inhibitors enhance insulin sensitivity by regulating glycogen synthesis and glucose uptake, making them potential candidates for the treatment of type 2 diabetes.

Substrates of GSK-3: Specificity and Regulatory Mechanisms in Inhibition

GSK-3 phosphorylates over 100 substrates, including transcription factors, cytoskeletal proteins, metabolic enzymes, and signaling molecules, highlighting its pleiotropic roles in cellular physiology. The specificity of GSK-3 inhibitors for substrate phosphorylation is a critical consideration in research, as off-target effects on non-GSK-3 substrates or isoform-specific substrates can complicate data interpretation. Understanding the regulatory mechanisms that govern GSK-3-substrate interactions is essential for the development of selective inhibitors and the accurate interpretation of their biological effects.

Substrate Specificity of GSK-3β: Priming-Dependent and Priming-Independent Mechanisms

As mentioned earlier, most GSK-3 substrates require a priming phosphate for efficient phosphorylation, a mechanism that contributes to substrate specificity. For example, glycogen synthase is primed by casein kinase 2, while β-catenin is primed by CK1. However, some substrates, such as p53 and heat shock protein 90 (Hsp90), are phosphorylated by GSK-3β in a priming-independent manner, expanding the range of cellular processes regulated by this kinase. GSK-3 inhibitors can block both priming-dependent and priming-independent phosphorylation, but the extent of inhibition varies depending on the inhibitor’s binding mode and specificity for GSK-3 isoforms. In research, this substrate specificity is exploited to dissect the role of individual GSK-3 substrates in disease pathways, for example, by using inhibitors to selectively block the phosphorylation of tau in neurodegeneration research.

Regulation of GSK-3 Substrate Phosphorylation by Inhibitors

The regulation of GSK-3 substrate phosphorylation by inhibitors is a complex process that involves not only direct inhibition of kinase activity but also indirect effects on upstream signaling pathways and regulatory proteins. For instance, some GSK-3 inhibitors bind to the active site of the kinase, competing with ATP and preventing substrate phosphorylation. Others bind to allosteric sites, inducing conformational changes that reduce kinase activity. Additionally, GSK-3 inhibitors can modulate the expression of regulatory proteins that interact with GSK-3, such as axin and APC, further influencing substrate phosphorylation. In research, techniques such as mass spectrometry and phospho-specific antibodies are used to characterize the substrate-specific effects of GSK-3 inhibitors, enabling the identification of novel downstream targets and the validation of inhibitor specificity.

GSK-3 Inhibitors in Scientific Research: Tools and Translational Potential

GSK-3 inhibitors have become indispensable tools in scientific research, facilitating the dissection of GSK-3-mediated pathways and the validation of GSK-3 as a therapeutic target. A wide range of GSK-3 inhibitors have been developed, including synthetic small molecules (e.g., SB216763, CHIR99021), natural products (e.g., lithium, curcumin), and peptide inhibitors. These inhibitors vary in their potency, selectivity for GSK-3 isoforms, and binding modes, making them suitable for different research applications. For example, CHIR99021, a selective GSK-3β inhibitor, is commonly used in stem cell research to maintain pluripotency, while SB216763 is used to study the role of GSK-3 in neurodegeneration.
Despite their utility in research, the translational potential of GSK-3 inhibitors has been hindered by challenges such as off-target effects, toxicity, and limited efficacy in clinical trials. However, recent advances in structure-based drug design have led to the development of more selective and potent GSK-3 inhibitors, addressing some of these limitations. For example, inhibitors that target the unique N-terminal region of GSK-3β have been shown to exhibit higher isoform specificity, reducing off-target effects on GSK-3α. Additionally, combination therapies involving GSK-3 inhibitors and other pathway modulators are being explored in cancer and neurodegenerative disease research, aiming to enhance efficacy and reduce toxicity.
In conclusion, GSK-3 inhibitors have significantly advanced our understanding of glycogen synthase kinase-3-mediated pathways, substrate regulation, and isoform-specific functions. As research continues to unravel the complex mechanisms underlying GSK-3 activity and the effects of inhibition, the development of more selective and effective GSK-3 inhibitors holds great promise for the treatment of a wide range of diseases. The ongoing integration of structural biology, proteomics, and preclinical models in GSK-3 inhibitor research will continue to drive scientific progress and translational success in this field.