Glycogen synthase kinase 3 (GSK-3) is involved in the regulation of several metabolic enzymes and transcription factors in response to extracellular signals. Here we report the use of a synthetic peptide derived from the sequence of the cyclic AMP responsive element binding protein (CREB) as a specific substrate for GSK-3 isoforms. The 13-amino acid peptide, KRREILSRRPSYR, was phosphorylated by the catalytic subunit of cAMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA) and purified on a C18 cartridge. Phosphorylation of the COOH-terminal serine of the peptide by PKA creates a phosphorylation site for GSK-3 since GSK-3 recognizes the consensus motif -S-X-X-X-S(P)-. Although the COOH-terminal serine of the peptide can be phosphorylated by PKA and several other kinases, the phospho-CREB peptide is specific for GSK-3 with Kms of 140 and 200 microM for GSK-3 alpha and GSK-3 beta isoforms, respectively. Using the phospho-CREB peptide, we have successfully purified GSK-3 activity from rabbit skeletal muscle and Escherichia coli cells transformed with a GSK-3 expression vector. The assay described provides a convenient and specific determination of GSK-3 activity.