Besides their role in desensitization, β-arrestin 1 and 2 promote the formation of signaling complexes allowing G protein-coupled receptors (GPCR) to signal independently from G proteins. Here we show that lithium, a pharmacological agent used for the management of psychiatric disorders such as bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and depression, regulates Akt/glycogen synthase kinase 3 (GSK3) signaling and related behaviors in mice by disrupting a signaling complex composed of Akt, β-arrestin 2, and protein phosphatase 2A. When administered to β-arrestin 2 knockout mice, lithium fails to affect Akt/GSK3 signaling and induce behavioral changes associated with GSK3 inhibition as it does in normal animals. These results point toward a pharmacological approach to modulating GPCR function that affects the formation of β-arrestin-mediated signaling complexes.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)125-136
Number of pages12
JournalCell
Volume132
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - 11 Jan 2008
Externally publishedYes

    Research areas

  • MOLNEURO

    Scopus subject areas

  • Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology(all)

ID: 36313310