Glycogen synthase kinase‐3β: A multifaceted player in ischemia‐reperfusion injury and its therapeutic prospects

Abstract Ischemia‐reperfusion injury (IRI) results in irreversible metabolic dysfunction and structural damage to tissues or organs, posing a formidable challenge in the field of organ implantation, cardiothoracic surgery, and general surgery. Glycogen synthase kinase‐3β (GSK‐3β) a multifunctional serine/threonine kinase, is involved in a variety of biological processes, including cell proliferation, apoptosis, and immune response. Phosphorylation of its tyrosine 216 and serine 9 sites positively and negatively regulates the activation and inactivation of the enzyme. Significantly, inhibition or inactivation of GSK‐3β provides protection against IRI, making it a viable target for drug development. Though numerous GSK‐3β inhibitors have been identified to date, the development of therapeutic treatments remains a considerable distance away. In light of this, this review summarizes the complicated network of GSK‐3β roles in IRI. First, we provide an overview of GSK‐3β's basic background. Subsequently, we briefly review the pathological mechanisms of GSK‐3β in accelerating IRI, and highlight the latest progress of GSK‐3β in multiorgan IRI, encompassing heart, brain, kidney, liver, and intestine. Finally, we discuss the current development of GSK‐3β inhibitors in various organ IRI, offering a thorough and insightful reference for GSK‐3β as a potential target for future IRI therapy.