| Glycogen synthase kinase-3 beta (GSK3β)
is principally is a glycogen synthase phosphorylating
enzyme that is well known for its role in muscle metabolism. GSK3β is a serine/threonine protein Kinase, which is
responsible for several essential roles in mammalian cells.
This enzyme is implicated in the pathophysiology of many
conditions involved in homeostasis and cellular immigration. GSK3β is involved in several pathways leading to
neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease
and Parkinson’s disease. Increasing evidence has shown the potential importance of GSK3β in ischemic heart disease and ischemia–reperfusion pathologies. Reperfusion
injury may occur in tissues after prolonged ischemia following reperfusion. Reperfusion injury can be life threatening. Reperfusion injury occurs due to a change in ionic
homeostasis, excess free radical production, mitochondrial
damage and cell death. There are however clear, cardiacprotective signals; although the molecular pathophysiology
is not clearly understood. In normal physiology, GSK3β
has a critical role in the cytoprotective pathway. However,
it`s controversial role in ischemia and ischemia–reperfusion is a topic of current interest. In this review, we have opted to focus on GSK3β interactions with mitochondria
in ischemic heart disease and expand on the therapeutic
interventions. |