1-(1,1-dioxo-1,2-benzothiazol-3-yl)-N-(2-methylphenyl)-4-piperidinecarboxamide

1-(1,1-dioxo-1,2-benzothiazol-3-yl)-N-(2-methylphenyl)-4-piperidinecarboxamide, also known as **S104**, is a **potent and selective inhibitor of the enzyme glycogen synthase kinase 3 beta (GSK-3β)**. Here's why it's important for research:

**GSK-3β: A Key Player in Many Biological Processes**

GSK-3β is a serine/threonine kinase involved in various cellular processes, including:

* **Cell growth and proliferation**
* **Apoptosis (programmed cell death)**
* **Inflammation**
* **Insulin signaling**
* **Neurotransmission**

**GSK-3β and Disease:**

* **Altered GSK-3β activity has been implicated in several diseases, including:**
* **Alzheimer's disease:** GSK-3β plays a role in tau protein phosphorylation, which is a hallmark of Alzheimer's.
* **Diabetes:** Dysregulation of GSK-3β is associated with insulin resistance.
* **Cancer:** GSK-3β can promote both tumor growth and apoptosis, depending on the context.
* **Mental health disorders:** GSK-3β has been linked to bipolar disorder, depression, and schizophrenia.
* **Therefore, GSK-3β is a promising therapeutic target for a variety of diseases.**

**S104: A Powerful Tool for Research**

S104, as a selective inhibitor of GSK-3β, serves as a valuable tool for researchers studying the role of GSK-3β in various diseases:

* **Understanding GSK-3β's function:** S104 helps scientists understand the complex roles of GSK-3β in different cell types and tissues.
* **Drug discovery:** It can be used to screen for and develop new drugs that target GSK-3β for therapeutic purposes.
* **Disease modeling:** S104 can be used in animal models to study the effects of GSK-3β inhibition on disease progression and to test potential treatments.

**In summary:** S104 is an important research tool because it provides a means to manipulate GSK-3β activity and gain insights into its role in disease. This knowledge could lead to the development of new therapies for a range of conditions.