A cell-permeable thiazole-containing urea compound that acts as a potent inhibitor of GSK-3. Shown to inhibit GSK-3β with high potency (IC
50 = 104 nM). Inhibition is competitive with respect to ATP (K
i = 38 nM). Specificity has been reported using a panel of 28 different kinases, including Cdk2 and Cdk5 (IC
50 >100 μM). Shown to prevent tau phosphorylation at a GSK-3-specific site. Also shown to protect neuronal cells against Aβ-mediated neurodegeneration
in vitro and reduce tauopathy in mice
in vivo (30 μmol/kg delivered with 40% PEG400 and 40% dimethylacetamide in water). Caution: Do not use delivering vehicles containing dimethylamine for
in vivo studies, as it is highly toxic to animals. A 25 mM (5 mg/649 μl) solution of GSK-3β Inhibitor VIII (Cat. No.
361557) in DMSO is also available.