Frontiers in Molecular Neuroscience (Feb 2012)

A pivotal role of GSK-3 in synaptic plasticity

  • Clarrisa A Bradley,
  • Clarrisa A Bradley,
  • Stephane ePeineau,
  • Stephane ePeineau,
  • Stephane ePeineau,
  • Changiz eTaghibiglou,
  • Celine S Nicolas,
  • Daniel J Whitcomb,
  • Zuner A Bortolotto,
  • Bong-Kiun eKaang,
  • Kwangwook eCho,
  • Yu-Tian eWang,
  • Graham L Collingridge,
  • Graham L Collingridge

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3389/fnmol.2012.00013
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 5

Abstract

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Glycogen synthase kinase-3 (GSK-3) has many cellular functions. Recent evidence suggests that it plays a key role in certain types of synaptic plasticity, in particular a form of long-term depression (LTD) that is induced by the synaptic activation of N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors. In the present article we summarise what is currently known concerning the roles of GSK-3 in synaptic plasticity at both glutamatergic and GABAergic synapses. We summarise its role in cognition and speculate on how alterations in the synaptic functioning of GSK-3 may be a major factor in certain neurodegenerative disorders.

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