Rho kinases in cardiovascular physiology and pathophysiology.
Rho kinases (ROCKs) are the first and the best-characterized effectors of the small G-protein RhoA. In addition to their effect on actin organization, or through this effect, ROCKs have been found to regulate a wide range of fundamental cell functions such as contraction, motility, proliferation, and apoptosis. Abnormal activation of the RhoA/ROCK pathway has been observed in major cardiovascular disorders such as atherosclerosis, restenosis, hypertension, pulmonary hypertension, and cardiac hypertrophy. This review, based on recent molecular, cellular, and animal studies, focuses on the current understanding of ROCK signaling and its roles in cardiovascular physiology and pathophysiology.
INSERM U-533-Institut du Thorax, Faculté des Sciences, Nantes, France.
Gervaise
G
Loirand
Patrice
P
Guérin
Pierre
P
Pacaud
D050197:Atherosclerosis / Q000201:enzymology / Q000503:physiopathology; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000201:enzymology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D002320:Cardiovascular Physiological Phenomena; D002319:Cardiovascular System / Q000503:physiopathology*; D023903:Coronary Restenosis; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000201:enzymology / Q000503:physiopathology; D007249:Inflammation / Q000201:enzymology / Q000503:physiopathology; D047908:Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D009131:Muscle, Smooth, Vascular / Q000502:physiology; D017346:Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases / Q000378:metabolism*; D054460:rho-Associated Kinases
D047908:Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; D017346:Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases; D054460:rho-Associated Kinases