Different localization of tau protein kinase I/glycogen synthase kinase-3 beta from glycogen synthase kinase-3 alpha in cerebellum mitochondria.

We examined the subcellular distribution of two glycogen synthase kinase-3 (GSK-3) isoforms in rat cerebellum. Results from immunoelectron microscopy and subcellular fractionation revealed that one isoform, tau protein kinase I/GSK-3 beta (TPKI/GSK-3 beta), was present in mitochondria, but GSK-3 alpha was not. Although the two GSK-3 isoforms seem to have similar properties, the difference of subcellular localization observed here suggests that TPKI/GSK-3 beta fulfills some specific function in mitochondria.