Title:New Perspective on the Dual Functions of Indirubins in Cancer Therapy and Neuroprotection
Volume: 14
Issue: 9
Author(s): Ying Wang, Pui Man Hoi, Judy Yuet-Wa Chan and Simon M.-Y. Lee
Affiliation:
Keywords:
cancer, CDKs, dual function, GSK-3, indirubin, neurodegeneration.
Abstract: Indirubin is an active ingredient mainly used to treat leukemia in China and is reported to be a leading inhibitor of cyclindependent
kinases (CDKs) and glycogen synthase kinase-3 (GSK-3) by competing with ATP binding sites. New findings have indicated
that its comprehensive structure may contribute to its polypharmacological activities particularly in cancer and neurodegenerative disease
therapy, as both of these diseases are usually accompanied by a common molecular link related to abnormal phosphorylation of CDKs
and GSK-3. In the elderly, cancer and neurodegenerative disease are tightly associated common diseases and sometimes unavoidably coexist.
In this review, the underlying mechanisms of the dual actions of indirubin and its structurally-related compounds in cancer and
neurodegenerative disease therapy are presented.
