hymenialdisine and Neoplasms

Glycogen synthase kinase-3 is a multi-functional serine-threonine kinase and is involved in diverse physiological processes, including metabolism, cell cycle, and gene expression by regulating a wide variety of known substrates like glycogen synthase, tau-protein and β-catenin. Aberrant GSK-3 has been involved in diabetes, inflammation, cancer, Alzheimer's and bipolar disorder. In this review, we present an overview of the involvement of GSK-3 in various signalling pathways, resulting in a number of adverse pathologies due to its dysregulation. In addition, a detailed description of the small molecule inhibitors of GSK-3 with different mode of action discovered or specifically developed for GSK-3 has been presented. Furthermore, some clues for the future optimization of these promising molecules to develop specific drugs inhibiting GSK-3, for the treatment of associated disease conditions have also been discussed.

Topics: Alzheimer Disease; Animals; Bipolar Disorder; Clinical Trials as Topic; Diabetes Mellitus; Drug Discovery; Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3; Humans; Models, Molecular; Neoplasms; Patents as Topic; Phosphorylation; Protein Kinase Inhibitors; Signal Transduction

Neurodegenerative diseases are among the most challenging diseases with poorly known mechanism of cause and paucity of complete cure. Out of all the neurodegenerative diseases, Alzheimer's disease is the most devastating and loosening of thinking and judging ability disease that occurs in the old age people. Many hypotheses came forth in order to explain its causes. In this review, we have enlightened Glycogen Synthase Kinase-3 which has been considered as a concrete cause for Alzheimer's disease. Plaques and Tangles (abnormal structures) are the basic suspects in damaging and killing of nerve cells wherein Glycogen Synthase Kinase-3 has a key role in the formation of these fatal accumulations. Various Glycogen Synthase Kinase-3 inhibitors have been reported to reduce the amount of amyloid-beta as well as the tau hyperphosphorylation in both neuronal and nonneuronal cells. Additionally, Glycogen Synthase Kinase-3 inhibitors have been reported to enhance the adult hippocampal neurogenesis in vivo as well as in vitro. Keeping the chemotype of the reported Glycogen Synthase Kinase-3 inhibitors in consideration, they may be grouped into natural inhibitors, inorganic metal ions, organo-synthetic, and peptide like inhibitors. On the basis of their mode of binding to the constituent enzyme, they may also be grouped as ATP, nonATP, and allosteric binding sites competitive inhibitors. ATP competitive inhibitors were known earlier inhibitors but they lack efficient selectivity. This led to find the new ways for the enzyme inhibition.

Topics: Alzheimer Disease; Animals; Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; Antineoplastic Agents; Diabetes Mellitus; Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3; Hippocampus; Humans; Hypoglycemic Agents; Inflammation; Molecular Targeted Therapy; Neoplasms; Protein Kinase Inhibitors

Three closely related forms of glycogen synthase kinase 3 (GSK-3alpha, GSK-3beta and GSK-3beta2) have a major role in Wnt and Hedgehog signaling pathways and regulate the cell-division cycle, stem-cell renewal and differentiation, apoptosis, circadian rhythm, transcription and insulin action. A large body of evidence supports speculation that pharmacological inhibitors of GSK-3 could be used to treat several diseases, including Alzheimer's disease and other neurodegenerative diseases, bipolar affective disorder, diabetes, and diseases caused by unicellular parasites that express GSK-3 homologues. The toxicity, associated side-effects and concerns regarding the absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion of these inhibitors affect their clinical potential. More than 30 inhibitors of GSK-3 have been identified. Seven of these have been co-crystallized with GSK-3beta and all localize within the ATP-binding pocket of the enzyme. GSK-3, as part of a multi-protein complex that contains proteins such as axin, presenilin and beta-catenin, contains many additional target sites for specific modulation of its activity.

Topics: Animals; Cell Differentiation; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2; Enzyme Inhibitors; Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3; Humans; Neoplasms; Nervous System Diseases; Parasitic Diseases; Signal Transduction; Stem Cells; Structure-Activity Relationship

A series of thieno[3,2-b]pyrroloazepinones derivatives related to Hymenialdisine were prepared and tested for CHK1 inhibitory activity. Nanomolar inhibitions were achieved when electron-withdrawing substituents were introduced at position 3 of the thiophene ring.

Topics: Antineoplastic Agents; Azepines; Checkpoint Kinase 1; Chemistry, Pharmaceutical; Drug Design; Drug Screening Assays, Antitumor; Electrons; Humans; Inhibitory Concentration 50; Models, Chemical; Molecular Structure; Neoplasms; Protein Kinases; Pyrroles; Structure-Activity Relationship; Thiophenes