title: Rho kinase, a promising drug target for neurological disorders.
abstract: Rho kinases (ROCKs), the first Rho effectors to be described, are serine/threonine kinases that are important in fundamental processes of cell migration, cell proliferation and cell survival. Abnormal activation of the Rho/ROCK pathway has been observed in various disorders of the central nervous system. Injury to the adult vertebrate brain and spinal cord activates ROCKs, thereby inhibiting neurite growth and sprouting. Inhibition of ROCKs results in accelerated regeneration and enhanced functional recovery after spinal-cord injury in mammals, and inhibition of the Rho/ROCK pathway has also proved to be efficacious in animal models of stroke, inflammatory and demyelinating diseases, Alzheimer's disease and neuropathic pain. ROCK inhibitors therefore have potential for preventing neurodegeneration and stimulating neuroregeneration in various neurological disorders.
authors.affiliation: Abbott GmbH & Co. KG, Knollstrasse 50, D-67061 Ludwigshafen, Germany. bernhard.mueller@abbott.com <bernhard.mueller@abbott.com>
authors.forename: Bernhard K
authors.initials: BK
authors.lastname: Mueller
authors.forename: Helmut
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Mack
authors.forename: Nicole
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Teusch
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D016503:Drug Delivery Systems / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D047908:Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; D009422:Nervous System Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000201:enzymology*; D047428:Protein Kinase Inhibitors / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D017346:Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000378:metabolism*; D054460:rho-Associated Kinases
chemical_list: D047908:Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; D047428:Protein Kinase Inhibitors; D017346:Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases; D054460:rho-Associated Kinases