title: Rho-kinase/ROCK: A key regulator of the cytoskeleton and cell polarity.
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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cell Pharmacology, Nagoya University, Showa-ku, Japan.
authors.forename: Mutsuki
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Amano
authors.forename: Masanori
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Nakayama
authors.forename: Kozo
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kaibuchi
mesh_terms: D000199:Actins / Q000502:physiology; D002465:Cell Movement / Q000235:genetics; D016764:Cell Polarity / Q000235:genetics*; D018360:Crystallography, X-Ray; D048749:Cytokinesis / Q000502:physiology; D003599:Cytoskeleton / Q000502:physiology*; D004789:Enzyme Activation; D009119:Muscle Contraction / Q000502:physiology; D016501:Neurites / Q000502:physiology; D020741:rho GTP-Binding Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D054460:rho-Associated Kinases / Q000737:chemistry / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D000199:Actins; D054460:rho-Associated Kinases; D020741:rho GTP-Binding Proteins
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