A mitotic role for GSK-3 beta kinase in Drosophila

Glycogen synthase kinase-3 beta (GSK-3 beta) is involved in a wide variety of cellular processes, and implicated in a growing list of human diseases. Recent drug inhibition studies have suggested a role for GSK-3 beta in mitosis in animals. Here, we take an alternative approach to understanding GSK-3 beta function in mitosis by genetic mutational analysis in Drosophila. GSK-3 beta function is well conserved between Drosophila (Zw3) and humans, frequently operating similarly in pathways, as diverse as the Wnt signaling and circadian rhythm pathways, and sharing a key role in the development of the neuromuscular junction. Unlike drug inhibitor studies, we find that loss of function mutations of zw3 result in markedly curved, or bent, metaphase spindles that exhibit metaphase delay. These defects do not routinely result in mitotic catastrophe, and argue that Zw3 plays a role in the maintenance of the mitotic spindle, rather than an essential role in spindle morphogenesis. Consistent with a mitotic function, we observe a complex and dynamic localization of Zw3 during cell division. These studies provide genetic data that validate and extend drug inhibition studies on a novel mitotic role for glycogen synthase kinase in the maintenance of the mitotic spindle.