Discovery of imidazole-based GSK-3β inhibitors for transdifferentiation of human mesenchymal stem cells to neurons: A potential single-molecule neurotherapeutic foresight

The transdifferentiation of human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSC) to functional neurons is crucial for the development of future neuro-regenerative therapeutics. Currently, transdifferentiation of hMSCs to neurons requires a "chemical cocktail " along with neural growth factors. The role of the individual molecules present in a "chemical cocktail " is poorly understood and may cause unwanted toxicity or adverse effects. Toward, this goal, we have showcased the discovery of an imidazole-based "single-molecule " transdifferentiation initiator SG-145C. This discovery was achieved via screening of a small molecule library through extensive in silico studies to shortlist the best-fitting molecules. This discovery evolved through a careful selection to target Glycogen synthase kinase-3 beta (GSK-3 beta), which is one of the important proteins responsible for neurogenesis. Rigorous computational experiments, as well as extensive biological assays, confirmed that SG-145C has significant potential to transdifferentiate hMSCs to neurons. Interestingly, our results suggest that SG-145C can inhibit the proteasomal degradation of phosphorylated beta-catenin, in turn promoting transdifferentiation of hMSCs into neurons via the Wnt pathway.