GSK-3β coordinates axonal microtubule organization through Shot and Tau.

ABSTRACT: Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3β (GSK-3β) is a key coordinator of neuronal development and maintenance; hyperactive GSK-3β is linked to neurodevelopmental and -degenerative diseases and therefore a promising therapeutic target. In neurons, GSK-3β coordinates the cytoskeleton by phosphorylating microtubule-binding proteins. In this study, we found that tight regulation of GSK-3β kinase activity is required for the maintenance of parallel microtubule bundles in Drosophila and rat axons. Up- or downregulation of GSK-3β led to axons forming pathological swellings in which microtubule bundles disintegrated into disorganized, curled microtubules. We identified the microtubule bundling proteins Shot and Tau as key GSK-3β targets and found that GSK-3β exerted its regulatory effect on microtubule

SUBMITTER: Voelzmann A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12933142 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature