title: ROCK inhibition with Y27632 promotes the proliferation and cell cycle progression of cultured astrocyte from spinal cord.
abstract: Rho-associated Kinase (ROCK) has been identified as an important regulator of proliferation and cell cycle progression in a number of cell types. Although its effects on astrocyte proliferation have not been well characterized, ROCK has been reported to play important roles in gap junction formation, morphology, and migration of astrocytes. In the present study, our aim was to investigate the effect of ROCK inhibition by [(+)-(R)-trans-4-(1-aminoethyl)-N-(4-pyridyl) cyclohexanecarboxamide dihydrochloride] (Y27632) on proliferation and DNA synthesis in cultured astrocytes from rat spinal cord and the possible mechanism involved. Western blots showed that treatment of astrocytes with Y27632 increased their expression of cyclin D1, CDK4, and cyclin E, thereby causing cell cycle progression. Furthermore, Y27632-induced astrocyte proliferation was mediated through the extracellular-signal-regulated kinase signaling cascade. These results indicate the importance of ROCK in astrocyte proliferation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Zhiyuan
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Yu
authors.forename: Miao
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Peicai
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Fu
authors.forename: Minjie
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Xie
authors.forename: Wei
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Xiang
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Luo
mesh_terms: D000577:Amides / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000818:Animals; D001253:Astrocytes / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects*; D002453:Cell Cycle / Q000187:drug effects*; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects*; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D011725:Pyridines / Q000494:pharmacology*; D051381:Rats; D013116:Spinal Cord / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects*; D054460:rho-Associated Kinases / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors*
chemical_list: D000577:Amides; D011725:Pyridines; C108830:Y 27632; D054460:rho-Associated Kinases