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Rho‐kinase/ROCK: A key regulator of the cytoskeleton and cell polarity
Author(s) -
Amano Mutsuki,
Nakayama Masanori,
Kaibuchi Kozo
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
cytoskeleton
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.95
H-Index - 86
eISSN - 1949-3592
pISSN - 1949-3584
DOI - 10.1002/cm.20472
Subject(s) - biology , rho associated protein kinase , microbiology and biotechnology , rock1 , cell polarity , ask1 , map kinase kinase kinase , kinase , rock2 , gtpase , actin cytoskeleton , effector , protein kinase a , cytoskeleton , cyclin dependent kinase 2 , cell , biochemistry
Abstract Rho‐associated kinase (Rho‐kinase/ROCK/ROK) is an effector of the small GTPase Rho and belongs to the AGC family of kinases. Rho‐kinase has pleiotropic functions including the regulation of cellular contraction, motility, morphology, polarity, cell division, and gene expression. Pharmacological analyses have revealed that Rho‐kinase is involved in a wide range of diseases such as vasospasm, pulmonary hypertension, nerve injury, and glaucoma, and is therefore considered to be a potential therapeutic target. This review focuses on the structure, function, and modes of activation and action of Rho‐kinase. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.