title: Differential regulation of adhesion complex turnover by ROCK1 and ROCK2.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  ROCK1 and ROCK2 are serine/threonine kinases that function downstream of the small GTP-binding protein RhoA. Rho signalling via ROCK regulates a number of cellular functions including organisation of the actin cytoskeleton, cell adhesion and cell migration.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In this study we use RNAi to specifically knockdown ROCK1 and ROCK2 and analyse their role in assembly of adhesion complexes in human epidermal keratinocytes. We observe that loss of ROCK1 inhibits signalling via focal adhesion kinase resulting in a failure of immature adhesion complexes to form mature stable focal adhesions. In contrast, loss of ROCK2 expression results in a significant reduction in adhesion complex turnover leading to formation of large, stable focal adhesions. Interestingly, loss of either ROCK1 or ROCK2 expression significantly impairs cell migration indicating both ROCK isoforms are required for normal keratinocyte migration.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  ROCK1 and ROCK2 have distinct and separate roles in adhesion complex assembly and turnover in human epidermal keratinocytes.
authors.affiliation: School of Biosciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Frances E
authors.initials: FE
authors.lastname: Lock
authors.forename: Katie R
authors.initials: KR
authors.lastname: Ryan
authors.forename: Natalie S
authors.initials: NS
authors.lastname: Poulter
authors.forename: Maddy
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Parsons
authors.forename: Neil A
authors.initials: NA
authors.lastname: Hotchin
mesh_terms: D002465:Cell Movement; D051416:Focal Adhesion Protein-Tyrosine Kinases; D022001:Focal Adhesions / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D015603:Keratinocytes / Q000378:metabolism*; D015398:Signal Transduction; D054460:rho-Associated Kinases / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D051416:Focal Adhesion Protein-Tyrosine Kinases; C515851:ROCK1 protein, human; C515852:ROCK2 protein, human; D054460:rho-Associated Kinases