Continuous exposure of follicles/oocytes to elevated levels of insulin compromises embryonic developmental competence, although the underlying cellular mechanisms are unknown. The objectives of the present study were to determine whether mouse oocytes have insulin receptors and a functional insulin signaling cascade, and whether insulin exposure during oocyte growth or maturation influences meiotic progression and chromatin remodeling. Immunoblot and immunocytochemical analyses of germinal vesicle-intact (GVI) oocytes demonstrated the presence of insulin receptor-beta. Insulin receptor expression in oocytes was increased by gonadotropin stimulation, and remained elevated throughout meiotic maturation. Fully grown GVI oocytes contained 3-phosphoinositide-dependent protein kinase-1 (PDPK1), thymoma viral proto-oncogene 1 (AKT1), and glycogen synthase kinase 3 (GSK3). In vitro maturation of GVI oocytes in 5 microg/ml insulin had no influence on meiotic progression or the incidence of normal metaphase II (MII) chromosome condensation. Treatment of oocytes during maturation had no effect on GSK3A/B protein expression or phosphorylation of S21/9. However, the culturing of preantral follicles for 10 days with 5 microg/ml insulin increased the phosphorylation of oocyte GSK3B, indicating GSK3 inactivation. The rates of development to metaphase I (MI) were similar for oocytes obtained from insulin-treated follicles and controls, whereas the incidence of abnormal MI chromatin condensation was significantly higher in oocytes obtained from follicles cultured with insulin compared to those cultured without insulin. These results demonstrate that oocytes contain a functional insulin signaling pathway, and that insulin exposure during oocyte growth results in chromatin remodeling aberrations. These findings begin to elucidate the mechanisms by which chronic elevated insulin influences oocyte meiosis, chromatin remodeling, and embryonic developmental competence.

Glycogen synthase kinase 3 (GSK3) is a serine/threonine kinase that has been implicated in psychiatric diseases, neurodevelopment, and circadian regulation. Both GSK3 isoforms, α and β, exhibit a 24-h variation of inhibitory phosphorylation within the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN), the primary circadian pacemaker. We examined the hypothesis that rhythmic GSK3 activity is critical for robust circadian rhythmicity using GSK3α(21A/21A)/β(9A/9A) knock-in mice with serine-alanine substitutions at the inhibitory phosphorylation sites, making both forms constitutively active. We monitored wheel-running locomotor activity of GSK3 knock-in mice and used loose-patch electrophysiology to examine the effect of chronic GSK3 activity on circadian behavior and SCN neuronal activity. Double transgenic GSK3α/β knock-in mice exhibit disrupted behavioral rhythmicity, including significantly decreased rhythmic amplitude, lengthened active period, and increased activity bouts per day. This behavioral disruption was dependent on chronic activation of both GSK3 isoforms and was not seen in single transgenic GSK3α or GSK3β knock-in mice. Underlying the behavioral changes, SCN neurons from double transgenic GSK3α/β knock-in mice exhibited significantly higher spike rates during the subjective night compared to those from wild-type controls, with no differences detected during the subjective day. These results suggest that constitutive activation of GSK3 results in the loss of the typical day/night variation of SCN neuronal activity. Together, these results implicate GSK3 activity as a critical regulator of circadian behavior and neurophysiological rhythms. Because GSK3 has been implicated in numerous pathologies, understanding how GSK3 modulates circadian rhythms and neurophysiological activity may lead to novel therapeutics for pathological disorders and circadian rhythm dysfunction.

Altered metabolism is a hallmark of cancer growth, forming the conceptual basis for development of metabolic therapies as cancer treatments. We performed in vivo metabolic profiling and molecular analysis of lung squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) to identify metabolic nodes for therapeutic targeting. Lung SCCs adapt to chronic mTOR inhibition and suppression of glycolysis through the GSK3α/β signaling pathway, which upregulates glutaminolysis. Phospho-GSK3α/β protein levels are predictive of response to single-therapy mTOR inhibition while combinatorial treatment with the glutaminase inhibitor CB-839 effectively overcomes therapy resistance. In addition, we identified a conserved metabolic signature in a broad spectrum of hypermetabolic human tumors that may be predictive of patient outcome and response to combined metabolic therapies targeting mTOR and glutaminase.

Because many species-specific phenotypic differences are assumed to be caused by differential regulation of gene expression, many recent investigations have focused on measuring transcript abundance. Despite the availability of high-throughput platforms, quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-QPCR) is often the method of choice because of its low cost and wider dynamic range. However, the accuracy of this technique heavily relies on the use of multiple valid control genes for normalization. We created a pipeline for choosing genes potentially useful as RT-QPCR control genes for measuring expression between human and chimpanzee samples across multiple tissues, using published microarrays and a measure of tissue-specificity. We identified 13 genes from the pipeline and from commonly used control genes: ACTB, USP49, ARGHGEF2, GSK3A, TBP, SDHA, EIF2B2, GPDH, YWHAZ, HPTR1, RPL13A, HMBS, and EEF2. We then tested these candidate genes and validated their expression stability across species. We established the rank order of the most preferable set of genes for single and combined tissues. Our results suggest that for at least three tissues (cerebral cortex, liver, and skeletal muscle), EIF2B2, EEF2, HMBS, and SDHA are useful genes for normalizing human and chimpanzee expression using RT-QPCR. Interestingly, other commonly used control genes, including TBP, GAPDH, and, especially ACTB do not perform as well. This pipeline could be easily adapted to other species for which expression data exist, providing taxonomically appropriate control genes for comparisons of gene expression among species.

BACKGROUND

The study aims to evaluate the expression and activity of glycogen synthase kinase 3 isoforms α/β (GSK3α/β) and to assess their oncogenic potential through a correlation with the expression of cyclin D1 and p53 in oral cancer.

METHODS

The expression of total and phosphorylated GSK3α/β as well as cyclin D1 and p53 together with their interaction were assessed in human oral cancer tissue samples, apparently normal adjacent tissues, benign tumor samples, premalignant lesions and healthy normal tissues (total 179) using various methods, such as immunohistochemistry, Western blot assays, immunoprecipitation and RT-PCR analysis.

RESULTS

The expression of GSK3β was significantly higher relative to GSK3α indicating the greater role of the β isoform in oral cancer. Among various types of oral cancers, OSCC (of the lip and tongue) showed elevated expression of GSK3α/β, and the expression was correlated with disease progression. The increased expression of pS(21)GSK3α and pS(9)GSK3β not only correlated positively with cyclin D1 and p53 expression in tongue cancer progression but a gradual shift of their expression from the cytoplasmic to the nuclear compartment and overall disease severity was also observed. The interaction of GSK3β-cyclin D1 and the positive correlation of pS(9)GSK3β and the transcription of cyclin D1 were observed.

CONCLUSIONS

These results demonstrate that the inactivation of GSK3β is an important event in OSCC and can be used as a marker for assessing disease severity and may be exploited for therapeutic intervention.

Isoform specific function of glycogen synthase kinase-3 (GSK3) in cancer is not well defined. We report that silencing of GSK3α, but not GSK3β expression inhibited proliferation, survival and colony formation by the PC3, DU145 and LNCaP prostate cancer cells, and the growth of PC3 tumor xenografts in athymic nude mice. Silencing of GSK3α, but not GSK3β resulted in reduced proliferation and enhanced apoptosis in tumor xenografts. ShRNA-mediated knockdown of GSK3α and GSK3β equally inhibited the ability of prostate cancer cells to migrate and invade the endothelial-barrier in vitro, and PC3 cell micrometastasis to lungs in vivo. Mechanistically, whereas silencing GSK3α resulted in increased expression of pro-apoptotic markers cleaved caspase-3 and cleaved caspase-9 in LNCaP, PC3 and DU145 cells, silencing GSK3β resulted in the inhibition of cell scattering, establishment of cell-cell contacts, increased expression and membrane localization of β-catenin, and reduced expression of epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) markers such as Snail and MMP-9. This indicated the specific role of GSK3β in EMT, acquisition of motility and invasive potential. Overall, our data demonstrated the isoform specific role of GSK3α and GSK3β in prostate cancer cells in vitro, and tumor growth and micrometastasis in vivo, via distinct molecular and cellular mechanisms.

In type 2 Diabetes (T2D) free fatty acids (FFAs) in plasma are increased and hepatic insulin resistance is "selective", in the sense that the insulin-mediated decrease of glucose production is blunted while insulin's effect on stimulating lipogenesis is maintained. We investigated the molecular mechanisms underlying this pathogenic paradox. Primary rat hepatocytes were exposed to palmitate for twenty hours. To establish the physiological relevance of the in vitro findings, we also studied insulin-resistant Zucker Diabetic Fatty (ZDF) rats. While insulin-receptor phosphorylation was unaffected, activation of Akt and inactivation of the downstream targets Glycogen synthase kinase 3α (Gsk3α and Forkhead box O1 (FoxO1) was inhibited in palmitate-exposed cells. Accordingly, dose-response curves for insulin-mediated suppression of the FoxO1-induced gluconeogenic genes and for de novo glucose production were right shifted, and insulin-stimulated glucose oxidation and glycogen synthesis were impaired. In contrast, similar to findings in human T2D, the ability of insulin to induce triglyceride (TG) accumulation and transcription of the enzymes that catalyze de novo lipogenesis and TG assembly was unaffected. Insulin-induction of these genes could, however, be blocked by inhibition of the atypical PKCs (aPKCs). The activity of the Akt-inactivating Protein Phosphatase 2A (PP2A) was increased in the insulin-resistant cells. Furthermore, inhibition of PP2A by specific inhibitors increased insulin-stimulated activation of Akt and phosphorylation of FoxO1 and Gsk3α. Finally, PP2A mRNA levels were increased in liver, muscle and adipose tissue, while PP2A activity was increased in liver and muscle tissue in insulin-resistant ZDF rats. In conclusion, our findings indicate that FFAs may cause a selective impairment of insulin action upon hepatic glucose metabolism by increasing PP2A activity.

Dysregulation of cell signaling by electrophiles such as 4-hydroxynonenal (4-HNE) is a key component in the pathogenesis of chronic inflammatory liver disease. Another consequence of inflammation is the perpetuation of oxidative damage by the production of reactive oxidative species such as hydrogen peroxide. Previously, we have demonstrated Akt2 as a direct target of 4-HNE in hepatocellular carcinoma cells. In the present study, we used the hepatocellular carcinoma cell line HepG2 as model to understand the combinatorial effects of 4-HNE and hydrogen peroxide. We demonstrate that 4-HNE inhibits hydrogen peroxide-mediated phosphorylation of Akt1 but not Akt2. Pretreatment of HepG2 cells with 4-HNE prevented hydrogen peroxide stimulation of Akt-dependent phosphorylation of downstream targets and intracellular Akt activity compared with untreated control cells. Using biotin hydrazide capture, it was confirmed that 4-HNE treatment resulted in carbonylation of Akt1, which was not observed in untreated control cells. Using a synthetic GSK3α/β peptide as a substrate, treatment of recombinant human myristoylated Akt1 (rAkt1) with 20 or 40 μΜ 4-HNE inhibited rAkt1 activity by 29 and 60%, respectively. We further demonstrate that 4-HNE activates Erk via a PI3 kinase and PP2A-dependent mechanism leading to increased Jnk phosphorylation. At higher concentrations, 4-HNE decreased both cell survival and proliferation as evidenced by MTT assays and EdU incorporation as well as decreased expression of cyclin D1 and β-catenin, an effect only moderately increased by the addition of hydrogen peroxide. The ability of 4-HNE to exert combinatorial effects on Erk, Jnk, and Akt-dependent cell survival pathways provides additional insight into the mechanisms of cellular damage associated with chronic inflammation.

CHI3L1 (chitinase-3-like protein 1) is a glycoprotein consisting of 383 amino acids with a molecular mass of 40 kDa, and its serum level is elevated in inflammatory diseases. Although CHI3L1 is described as a biomarker of inflammation, the function of this protein is not completely understood. In the present study, we examined the regulation of CHI3L1 in primary human skeletal muscle cells. Moreover, we analysed potential autocrine effects of CHI3L1. We show that myotubes express CHI3L1 in a differentiation-dependent manner. Furthermore, pro-inflammatory cytokines up-regulate CHI3L1 expression (6-fold) and release (3-fold). Importantly, CHI3L1 treatment blocked TNFα (tumour necrosis factor α)-induced inflammation by inhibiting NF-κB (nuclear factor κB) activation in skeletal muscle cells. We show that this effect is mediated via PAR2 (protease-activated receptor 2). In addition, CHI3L1 treatment diminished the TNFα-induced expression and secretion of IL (interleukin)-8, MCP1 (monocyte chemoattractant protein 1) and IL-6. In addition, impaired insulin action at the level of Akt and GSK3α/β (glycogen synthase kinase 3α/β) phosphoryl-ation and insulin-stimulated glucose uptake was normalized by CHI3L1. In conclusion, the novel myokine CHI3L1, which is induced by pro-inflammatory cytokines, can counteract TNFα-mediated inflammation and insulin resistance in human skeletal muscle cells, potentially involving an auto- and/or para-crine mechanism.

BACKGROUND

Injury due to myocardial infarction (MI) is largely irreversible. Once an infarct has occurred, the clinical goal becomes limiting remodeling, preserving left ventricular function, and preventing heart failure. Although traditional approaches (e.g., β-blockers) partially preserve left ventricular function, novel strategies are needed to limit ventricular remodeling post-MI.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to determine the role of glycogen synthase kinase-3α (GSK-3α) in post-MI remodeling.

METHODS

Mice with cardiomyocyte-specific conditional deletion of Gsk3α and littermate controls underwent sham or MI surgery. Heart function was assessed using serial M-mode echocardiography.

RESULTS

Gsk3α deletion in the heart markedly limits remodeling and preserves left ventricular function post-MI. This is due at least in part to dramatic thinning and expansion of the scar in the control hearts, which was less in the heart of knockout (KO) mice. In contrast, the border zone in the KO mice demonstrated a much thicker scar, and there were more viable cardiomyocytes within the scar/border zone. This was associated with less apoptosis and more proliferation of cardiomyocytes in the KO mice. Mechanistically, reduced apoptosis was due, at least in part, to a marked decrease in the Bax/Bcl-2 ratio, and increased cardiomyocyte proliferation was mediated through cyclin E1 and E2F-1 in the hearts of the KO mice.

CONCLUSIONS

Taken together, these findings show that reducing GSK-3α expression in cardiomyocytes limits ventricular remodeling and preserves cardiac function post-MI. Specifically targeting GSK-3α could be a novel strategy to limit adverse remodeling and heart failure.

The homeostasis of protein metabolism is maintained and regulated by the rates of protein biosynthesis and degradation in living systems. Alterations of protein degradation may regulate protein biosynthesis through a feedback mechanism. Whether a change in protein biosynthesis modulates protein degradation has not been reported. In this study, we found that inhibition of protein biosynthesis induced phosphorylation/activation of AKT and led to phosphorylation of AKT target substrates, including FoxO1, GSK3α/β, p70S6K, AS160, and the E3 ubiquitin ligase MDM2. Phosphorylation of ribosomal protein S6 was also modulated by inhibition of protein biosynthesis. The AKT phosphorylation/activation was mediated mainly through the PI3K pathway because it was blocked by the PI3K inhibitor LY294002. The activated AKT phosphorylated MDM2 at Ser(166) and promoted degradation of the tumor suppressor p53. These findings suggest that inhibition of protein biosynthesis can alter degradation of some proteins through activation of AKT. This study reveals a novel regulation of protein degradation and calls for caution in blocking protein biosynthesis to study the half-life of proteins.

Over the last decade, finding a reliable biomarker for the early detection of schizophrenia (Scz) has been a topic of interest. The main goal of the current review is to provide a comprehensive view of the brain, blood, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), and serum biomarkers of Scz disease. Imaging studies have demonstrated that the volumes of the corpus callosum, thalamus, hippocampal formation, subiculum, parahippocampal gyrus, superior temporal gyrus, prefrontal and orbitofrontal cortices, and amygdala-hippocampal complex were reduced in patients diagnosed with Scz. It has been revealed that the levels of interleukin 1β (IL-1β), IL-6, IL-8, and TNF-α were increased in patients with Scz. Decreased mRNA levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), tropomyosin receptor kinase B (TrkB), neurotrophin-3 (NT-3), nerve growth factor (NGF), and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) genes have also been reported in Scz patients. Genes with known strong relationships with this disease include BDNF, catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT), regulator of G-protein signaling 4 (RGS4), dystrobrevin-binding protein 1 (DTNBP1), neuregulin 1 (NRG1), Reelin (RELN), Selenium-binding protein 1 (SELENBP1), glutamic acid decarboxylase 67 (GAD 67), and disrupted in schizophrenia 1 (DISC1). The levels of dopamine, tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), serotonin or 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) receptor 1A and B (5-HTR1A and 5-HTR1B), and 5-HT1B were significantly increased in Scz patients, while the levels of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), 5-HT transporter (5-HTT), and 5-HT receptor 2A (5-HTR2A) were decreased. The increased levels of SELENBP1 and Glycogen synthase kinase 3 subunit α (GSK3α) genes in contrast with reduced levels of B-cell translocation gene 1 (BTG1), human leukocyte antigen DRB1 (HLA-DRB1), heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein A3 (HNRPA3), and serine/arginine-rich splicing factor 1 (SFRS1) genes have also been reported. This review covers various dysregulation of neurotransmitters and also highlights the strengths and weaknesses of studies attempting to identify candidate biomarkers.

Glycogen synthase kinase (GSK)3 is a ubiquitously expressed serine/threonine kinase existing in two isoforms, namely GSK3α and GSK3β. Aside from the long-recognized role in insulin signal transduction and glycogen biosynthesis, GSK3β has been recently coined as a master control molecule in nuclear factor-κB activation and inflammatory kidney injury. Nevertheless, previous studies are less conclusive because they relied greatly on small molecule inhibitors, which lack selectivity and barely distinguish between the GSK3 isoforms. In addition, early embryonic lethality after global knockout of GSK3β precludes interrogation of the biological role of GSK3β in the adult kidney. To circumvent these issues, the Cre/loxP system was used to generate a conditional knockout mouse model in which the GSK3β gene was specifically deleted in kidney cortical tubules at postnatal mature stage. Kidney-specific ablation of GSK3β resulted in a phenotype no different from control littermates. Knockout mice (KO) were viable and exhibited normal development and normal kidney physiology in terms of kidney function, urine albumin excretion, and urine-concentrating ability. It is noteworthy that apart from normal glomerular and tubulointerstitial morphology, the kidneys from KO demonstrated more glycogen accumulation in the renal cortical tubules as assessed by both periodic acid-Schiff staining for light microscopy and direct biochemical assay, consistent with an elevated glycogen synthetic activity as evidenced by diminished inhibitory phosphorylation of glycogen synthase that occurred subsequent to GSK3β ablation. This finding was further validated by electron microscopic observations of increased deposition of glycogen particles in the renal tubules of KO, suggesting that GSK3α could not fully compensate for the loss of GSK3β in regulating glycogen metabolism in the kidney. Collectively, our study suggests that kidney-specific ablation of GSK3β barely affects kidney function and histology under normal circumstances. Extended examinations of these KO under diseased conditions are merited to understand the role of GSK3β in renal pathophysiology.

Glatiramer acetate (GA), an immunomodulator used in multiple sclerosis (MS) therapy, induces the production of secreted IL-1 receptor antagonist (sIL-1Ra), a natural inhibitor of IL-1β, in human monocytes, and in turn enhances sIL-1Ra circulating levels in MS patients. GA is a mixture of peptides with random Glu, Lys, Ala, and Tyr sequences of high polarity and hydrophilic nature that is unlikely to cross the blood-brain barrier. In contrast, sIL-1Ra crosses the blood-brain barrier and, in turn, may mediate GA anti-inflammatory activities within the CNS by counteracting IL-1β activities. Here we identify intracellular signaling pathways induced by GA that control sIL-1Ra expression in human monocytes. By using kinase knockdown and specific inhibitors, we demonstrate that GA induces sIL-1Ra production via the activation of PI3Kδ, Akt, MEK1/2, and ERK1/2, demonstrating that both PI3Kδ/Akt and MEK/ERK pathways rule sIL-1Ra expression in human monocytes. The pathways act in parallel upstream glycogen synthase kinase-3α/β (GSK3α/β), the knockdown of which enhances sIL-1Ra production. Together, our findings demonstrate the existence of signal transduction triggered by GA, further highlighting the mechanisms of action of this drug in MS.

This study is the first to investigate the anticancer effects of the new phloroglucinol derivative (3,6-bis(3-chlorophenylacetyl)phloroglucinol; MCPP) in human colon cancer cells. MCPP induced cell death and antiproliferation in three human colon cancer, HCT-116, SW480, and Caco-2 cells, but not in primary human dermal fibroblast cells. MCPP-induced concentration-dependent apoptotic cell death in colon cancer cells was measured by fluorescence-activated cell sorter (FACS) analysis. Treatment of HCT-116 human colon cancer cells with MCPP was found to induce a number of signature endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress markers; and up-regulation of CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein homologous protein (CHOP) and glucose-regulated protein (GRP)-78, phosphorylation of eukaryotic initiation factor-2α (eIF-2α), suggesting the induction of ER stress. MCPP also increased GSK3α/β(Tyr270/216) phosphorylation and reduced GSK3α/β(Ser21/9) phosphorylation time-dependently. Transfection of cells with GRP78 or CHOP siRNA, or treatment of GSK3 inhibitor SB216163 reduced MCPP-mediated cell apoptosis. Treatment of MCPP also increased caspase-7, caspase-9, and caspase-3 activity. The inhibition of caspase activity by z-DEVE-FMK or z-VAD-FMK significantly reduced MCPP-induced apoptosis. Furthermore, treatment of GSK3 inhibitor SB216763 also dramatically reversed MCPP-induced GRP and CHOP up-regulation, and pro-caspase-3 and pro-caspase-9 degradation. Taken together, the present study provides evidences to support that GRP78 and CHOP expression, and GSK3α/β activation in mediating the MCPP-induced human colon cancer cell apoptosis.

Colorectal-cancer (CRC) is the third leading cause of death due to cancer, supporting the need for identification of novel anticancer drug to improve the efficacy of current-therapy. There is growing bodies of data showing the antitumor-activity of curcumin, although it is associated with low absorption. The aim of current study was explored the therapeutic-potential of novel phytosomal curcumin as well as its application in combination with 5-Flurouracil (5-FU) in a mouse-model of colitis-associated colon-cancer. The anti-proliferative-activity of phytosomal curcumin was assessed in 2- and 3-dimensional cell-culture-models as well as in a mouse-model of colitis-associated colon-cancer. The expression-levels of CyclinD1, beclin, E-cadherin, and p-GSK3a/b were investigated by qRT-PCR and/or Western-blotting. We evaluated the anti-inflammatory of this agent by pathological-evaluation and disease-activity-index (DAI). Moreover, oxidant/antioxidant activity was examined by malondialdehyde (MDA), total-thiols (T-SH), superoxide-dismutase (SOD), and catalase (CAT) activity parameters. Our data showed that phytosomal curcumin and its combination with 5-FU inhibited cell growth and invasive behavior of CRC cells through modulation of Wnt-pathway and E-cadherin. Combination of curcumin with 5-FU dramatically reduced the tumor-number and tumor-size in both distal and middle parts of colon in colitis-associated colon cancer followed by reduction in DAI. Also, curcumin suppressed the colonic inflammation and notably recovered the increased levels of MDA, decreased thiol level and reduced activity of CAT. We demonstrated the antitumor-activity of novel form of curcumin in CRC, supporting further investigations on the therapeutic-potential of this approach in colorectal-cancer.

Abnormally active glycogen synthase kinase-3 (GSK3) contributes to pathological processes in multiple psychiatric and neurological disorders. Modeled in mice, this includes increasing susceptibility to dysregulation of mood-relevant behaviors, impairing performance in several cognitive tasks and impairing adult hippocampal neural precursor cell (NPC) proliferation. These deficits are all evident in GSK3α/β knockin mice, in which serine-to-alanine mutations block the inhibitory serine phosphorylation regulation of both GSK3 isoforms, leaving GSK3 hyperactive. It was unknown if both GSK3 isoforms perform redundant actions in these processes, or if hyperactivity of one GSK3 isoform has a predominant effect. To test this, we examined GSK3α or GSK3β knockin mice in which only one isoform was mutated to a hyperactive form. Only GSK3β, not GSK3α, knockin mice displayed heightened vulnerability to the learned helplessness model of depression-like behavior. Three cognitive measures impaired in GSK3α/β knockin mice showed differential regulation by GSK3 isoforms. Novel object recognition was impaired in GSK3β, not in GSK3α, knockin mice, whereas temporal order memory was not impaired in GSK3α or GSK3β knockin mice, and co-ordinate spatial processing was impaired in both GSK3α and GSK3β knockin mice. Adult hippocampal NPC proliferation was severely impaired in GSK3β knockin mice, but not impaired in GSK3α knockin mice. Increased activity of GSK3β, in the absence of overexpression or disease pathology, is sufficient to impair mood regulation, novel object recognition and hippocampal NPC proliferation, whereas hyperactive GSK3α individually does not impair these processes. These results show that hyperactivity of the two GSK3 isoforms execute non-redundant effects on these processes.

Successful B cell differentiation and prevention of cell transformation depends on balanced and fine-tuned activation of cellular signaling pathways. The phosphatidyl inositol-3 kinase (PI3K) signaling pathway has emerged as a major regulator of B lymphocyte homeostasis and function. Phosphoinositide-dependent protein kinase-1 (PDK1) is the pivotal node in the PI3K pathway, regulating the stability and activity of downstream AGC kinases (including Akt, RSK, S6K, SGK, and PKC). Although the importance of PI3K activity in B cell differentiation is well documented, the role of PDK1 and other downstream effectors is underexplored. Here we used inducible and stage-specific gene targeting approaches to elucidate the role of PDK1 in early and peripheral B cell differentiation. PDK1 ablation enhanced cell cycle entry and apoptosis of IL-7-dependent pro-B cells, blocking Ig synthesis and B cell maturation. PDK1 also was essential for the survival and activation of peripheral B cells via regulation of PKC and Akt-dependent downstream effectors, such as GSK3α/β and Foxo1. We found that PDK1 deletion strongly impaired B cell receptor (BCR) signaling, but IL-4 costimulation was sufficient to restore BCR-induced proliferation. IL-4 also normalized PKCβ activation and hexokinase II expression in BCR-stimulated cells, suggesting that this signaling pathway can act independent of PDK1 to support B cell growth. In summary, our results demonstrate that PDK1 is indispensable for B cell survival, proliferation, and growth regulation.

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease and cirrhosis are strongly associated with insulin resistance and glucose intolerance. To date, the influence of metformin on glycogen synthesis in the liver is controversial. Limited studies have evaluated the effect of metformin on hepatic insulin signaling pathway in vivo In this study, an insulin-resistant rat model of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis and cirrhosis was developed by high-fat and high-sucrose diet feeding in combination with subcutaneous injection of carbon tetrachloride. Liver tissues of the model rats were featured with severe steatosis and cirrhosis, accompanied by impaired liver function and antioxidant capacity. The glucose tolerance was impaired, and the index of insulin resistance was increased significantly compared with the control. The content of hepatic glycogen was dramatically decreased. The expression of insulin receptor β (IRβ); phosphorylations of IRβ, insulin receptor substrate 2 (IRS2), and Akt; and activities of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) and glycogen synthase (GS) in the liver were significantly decreased, whereas the activities of glycogen synthase kinase 3α (GSK3α) and glycogen phosphorylase a (GPa) were increased. Metformin treatment remarkably improved liver function, alleviated lipid peroxidation and histological damages of the liver, and ameliorated glucose intolerance and insulin resistance. Metfromin also significantly upregulated the expression of IRβ; increased the phosphorylations of IRβ, IRS2, and Akt; increased the activities of PI3K and GS; and decreased GSK3α and GPa activities. In conclusion, our study suggests that metformin upregulates IRβ expression and the downstream IRS2/PI3K/Akt signaling transduction, therefore, to increase hepatic glycogen storage and improve insulin resistance. These actions may be attributed to the improved liver histological alterations by metformin.

Mineralocorticoid excess leads to cardiac fibrosis, a leading cause of morbidity and mortality. Cardiac hypertrophy and fibrosis are inhibited by the glycogen synthase kinase GSK3 which itself is a target of protein kinase B (PKB) and the serum and glucocorticoid inducible kinase SGK1. Phosphorylation of GSK3 by PKB or SGK1 inhibits GSK3 activity and should thus favour the development of cardiac hypertrophy and fibrosis. As SGK1 is transcriptionally upregulated by mineralocorticoids and has been recently shown to play an important role in the pathogenesis of mineralocorticoid-induced cardiac fibrosis, the present study explored whether mineralocorticoid excess had any effect on the phosphorylation status of the a and beta isoforms of GSK3. Western blotting using an antibody specific for the PKB/SGK1 consensus phosphorylation site in GSK3a/beta (serine 21 and 9 respectively) revealed an increase in GSK3a/beta phosphorylation in human embryonic kidney 293 (HEK293) cells overexpressing wild type SGK1, constitutively active SGK1, but not catalytically inactive SGK1. The effect of SGK1 was mimicked by PKB and SGK3. Furthermore, DOCA/high salt treatment of wild type mice induced a robust increase in cardiac GSK3beta phosphorylation and, to a much lesser extent, GSK3a phosphorylation. However, under this treatment GSK3beta phosphorylation was apparent even in mice lacking functional SGK1, indicating that the phosphorylation of GSK3beta was not exclusively mediated by this kinase. Despite similar cardiac GSK3beta phosphorylation cardiac fibrosis following DOCA/high salt treatment was significantly blunted in SGK1 knockout mice. In conclusion, mineralocorticoid excess leads to phosphorylation and thus inactivation of GSK3beta, an effect not only due to upregulation of SGK1 but as well due to activation of additional kinases. The inactivation of GSK3 may play a permissive role in the stimulation of cardiac fibrosis but may by itself not be sufficient to trigger cardiac fibrosis.

Patients with ovarian cancer are generally diagnosed at FIGO (International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics) stage III/IV, when ascites is common. The volume of ascites correlates positively with the extent of metastasis and negatively with prognosis. Membrane GRP78, a stress-inducible endoplasmic reticulum chaperone that is also expressed on the plasma membrane ((mem)GRP78) of aggressive cancer cells, plays a crucial role in the embryonic stem cell maintenance. We studied the effects of ascites on ovarian cancer stem-like cells using a syngeneic mouse model. Our study demonstrates that ascites-derived tumor cells from mice injected intraperitoneally with murine ovarian cancer cells (ID8) express increased (mem)GRP78 levels compared with ID8 cells from normal culture. We hypothesized that these ascites-associated (mem)GRP78(+) cells are cancer stem-like cells (CSC). Supporting this hypothesis, we show that (mem)GRP78(+) cells isolated from murine ascites exhibit increased sphere forming and tumor initiating abilities compared with (mem)GRP78(-) cells. When the tumor microenvironment is recapitulated by adding ascites fluid to cell culture, ID8 cells express more (mem)GRP78 and increased self-renewing ability compared with those cultured in medium alone. Moreover, compared with their counterparts cultured in normal medium, ID8 cells cultured in ascites, or isolated from ascites, show increased stem cell marker expression. Antibodies directed against the carboxy-terminal domain of GRP78: (i) reduce self-renewing ability of murine and human ovarian cancer cells preincubated with ascites and (ii) suppress a GSK3α-AKT/SNAI1 signaling axis in these cells. Based on these data, we suggest that (mem)GRP78 is a logical therapeutic target for late-stage ovarian cancer.

BACKGROUND

Memories return to a labile state following their retrieval and must undergo a process of reconsolidation to be maintained. Thus, disruption of cocaine reward memories by interference with reconsolidation may be therapeutically beneficial in the treatment of cocaine addiction.

OBJECTIVE

The objectives were to elucidate the signaling pathway involved in reconsolidation of cocaine reward memory and to test whether targeting this pathway could disrupt cocaine-associated contextual memory.

METHODS

Using a mouse model of conditioned place preference, regulation of the activity of glycogen synthase kinase-3 (GSK3), mammalian target of Rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1), P70S6K, β-catenin, and the upstream signaling molecule Akt, was studied in cortico-limbic-striatal circuitry after re-exposure to an environment previously paired with cocaine.

RESULTS

Levels of phosporylated Akt-Thr308, GSK3α-Ser21, GSK3β-Ser9, mTORC1, and P70S6K were reduced in the nucleus accumbens and hippocampus 10 min after the reactivation of cocaine cue memories. Levels of pAkt and pGSK3 were also reduced in the prefrontal cortex. Since reduced phosphorylation of GSK3 indicates heightened enzyme activity, the effect of a selective GSK3 inhibitor, SB216763, on reconsolidation was tested. Administration of SB216763 immediately after exposure to an environment previously paired with cocaine abrogated a previously established place preference, suggesting that GSK3 inhibition interfered with reconsolidation of cocaine-associated reward memories.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings suggest that the Akt/GSK3/mTORC1 signaling pathway in the nucleus accumbens, hippocampus, and/or prefrontal cortex is critically involved in the reconsolidation of cocaine contextual reward memory. Inhibition of GSK3 activity during memory retrieval can erase an established cocaine place preference.

Axon degeneration is an essential part of development, plasticity, and injury response and has been primarily studied in mammalian models in three contexts: 1) Axotomy-induced Wallerian degeneration, 2) Apoptosis-induced axon degeneration (axon apoptosis), and 3) Axon pruning. These three contexts dictate engagement of distinct pathways for axon degeneration. Recent advances have identified the importance of SARM1, NMNATs, NAD+ depletion, and MAPK signaling in axotomy-induced Wallerian degeneration. Interestingly, apoptosis-induced axon degeneration and axon pruning have many shared mechanisms both in signaling (e.g. DLK, JNKs, GSK3α/β) and execution (e.g. Puma, Bax, caspase-9, caspase-3). However, the specific mechanisms by which caspases are activated during apoptosis versus pruning appear distinct, with apoptosis requiring Apaf-1 but not caspase-6 while pruning requires caspase-6 but not Apaf-1.

Glycogen synthase kinase-3 (GSK3), particularly the isoform GSK3β, has been implicated in a wide range of physiological systems and neurological disorders including Alzheimer's Disease. However, the functional importance of GSK3α has been largely untested. The multifunctionality of GSK3 limits its potential as a drug target because of inevitable side effects. Due to its greater expression in the CNS, GSK3β rather than GSK3α has also been assumed to be of primary importance in synaptic plasticity. Here, we investigate bidirectional long-term synaptic plasticity in knockin mice with a point mutation in GSK3α or GSK3β that prevents their inhibitory regulation. We report that only the mutation in GSK3α affects long-term potentiation (LTP) and depression (LTD). This stresses the importance of investigating isoform specificity for GSK3 in all systems and suggests that GSK3α should be investigated as a drug target in cognitive disorders including Alzheimer's Disease.