Barr JL, Unterwald EM. Glycogen synthase kinase-3 signaling in cellular and behavioral responses to psychostimulant drugs.
BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-MOLECULAR CELL RESEARCH 2020;
1867:118746. [PMID:
32454064 DOI:
10.1016/j.bbamcr.2020.118746]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2020] [Revised: 05/13/2020] [Accepted: 05/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Glycogen synthase kinase-3 (GSK-3) is a serine/threonine kinase implicated in numerous physiological processes and cellular functions through its ability to regulate the function of many proteins, including transcription factors and structural proteins. GSK-3β has been demonstrated to function as a regulator of multiple behavioral processes induced by drugs of abuse, particularly psychostimulant drugs. In this review, we provide an overview of the regulation of GSK-3β activity produced by psychostimulants, and the role of GSK-3β signaling in psychostimulant-induced behaviors including drug reward, associative learning and memory which play a role in the maintenance of drug-seeking. Evidence supports the conclusion that GSK-3β is an important component of the actions of psychostimulant drugs and that GSK-3β is a valid target for developing novel therapeutics. Additional studies are required to examine the role of GSK-3β in distinct cell types within the mesolimbic and memory circuits to further elucidate the mechanisms related to the acquisition, consolidation, and recall of drug-related memories, and potentially countering neuroadaptations that reinforce drug-seeking behaviors that maintain drug dependence.
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