Lithium inhibits caspase 3 activation and dephosphorylation of PKB and GSK3 induced by K+deprivation in cerebellar granule cells

• DOI: 10.1046/j.1471-4159.2001.00410.x
• Publication Date: 2003-03-12T06:54:35Z
• Authors: Alfonso Mora; Guadalupe Sabio; Rosa A. González‐...; Ana Cuenda; Dario R. Alessi; Juan C. Alonso; José M. Fuentes; Germán Soler; Francisco Centeno
• Keywords: Dephosphorylation

Lithium protects cerebellar granule cells from apoptosis induced by low potassium, and also other apoptotic stimuli. However, the precise mechanism which this occurs is not understood. When were switched to potassium medium, activation of caspase 3 was detected within 6 h, suggesting a role in mediating under conditions potassium. In same conditions, lithium (5 m ) inhibited As did inhibit activity vitro , these results suggest that ion inhibits an upstream component required for activation. known kinase termed glycogen sythase (GSK3), implicated survival pathway phosphatidylinositol 3‐kinase/protein B (PI3K/PKB). Here we demonstrate absence induces dephosphorylation, therefore activation, GSK3. when present, GSK3 remained phosphorylated at level as observed high Low dephosphorylation inactivation PKB, whereas present PKB dephosphorylated. Our allow us propose new hypothesis about action lithium, could serine‐threonine phosphatase deprivation.