Role of glycogen synthase kinase following myocardial infarction and ischemia-reperfusion

Glycogen synthase kinase-3 beta (GSK3 beta) is principally is a glycogen synthase phosphorylating enzyme that is well known for its role in muscle metabolism. GSK3 beta is a serine/threonine protein Kinase, which is responsible for several essential roles in mammalian cells. This enzyme is implicated in the pathophysiology of many conditions involved in homeostasis and cellular immigration. GSK3 beta is involved in several pathways leading to neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease. Increasing evidence has shown the potential importance of GSK3 beta in ischemic heart disease and ischemia-reperfusion pathologies. Reperfusion injury may occur in tissues after prolonged ischemia following reperfusion. Reperfusion injury can be life threatening. Reperfusion injury occurs due to a change in ionic homeostasis, excess free radical production, mitochondrial damage and cell death. There are however clear, cardiac-protective signals; although the molecular pathophysiology is not clearly understood. In normal physiology, GSK3 beta has a critical role in the cytoprotective pathway. However, it`s controversial role in ischemia and ischemia-reperfusion is a topic of current interest. In this review, we have opted to focus on GSK3 beta interactions with mitochondria in ischemic heart disease and expand on the therapeutic interventions.