title: LIM-kinase as a regulator of actin dynamics in spermatogenesis.
abstract: We have identified LIM-kinase (LIMK1 and LIMK2), the only known catalytic protein among LIM-family molecules. Both LIMK1 and LIMK2 phosphorylate (inactivate) cofilin, an actin depolymerizing factor, and induce actin cytoskeleton reorganization. We as well as others concurrently demonstrated that LIMK activation was regulated by the Rho family of GTPases, and LIMK1 and LIMK2 share the distinct functional portion in Rho GTPases-mediated actin dynamics. Although evidence for their physiological significance is tenuous, several studies have focused on understanding LIMK functions, particularly in meiosis and mitosis. This review addresses recent LIMK findings, with emphasis on spermatogenesis studies, upon which future studies can shed light on the role of the LIMK/actin system in meiosis and mitosis.
authors.affiliation: Division of Molecular Regenerative Medicine, Course of Advanced Medicine, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Suita, Osaka, Japan.
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Takahashi
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Funakoshi
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Nakamura
mesh_terms: D008841:Actin Cytoskeleton / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D051339:Actin Depolymerizing Factors; D000818:Animals; D002467:Cell Nucleus / Q000648:ultrastructure; D015870:Gene Expression; D054461:Lim Kinases; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D018345:Mice, Knockout; D008840:Microfilament Proteins / Q000502:physiology; D010641:Phenotype; D011494:Protein Kinases / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D013091:Spermatogenesis; D013737:Testis / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism; D014018:Tissue Distribution
chemical_list: D051339:Actin Depolymerizing Factors; D008840:Microfilament Proteins; D011494:Protein Kinases; D054461:Lim Kinases; C515893:Limk1 protein, mouse; C095325:Limk2 protein, mouse