title: Rho Kinases in Health and Disease: From Basic Science to Translational Research.
abstract: Rho-associated kinases ROCK1 and ROCK2 are key regulators of actin cytoskeleton dynamics downstream of Rho GTPases that participate in the control of important physiologic functions, S including cell contraction, migration, proliferation, adhesion, and inflammation. Several excellent review articles dealing with ROCK function and regulation have been published over the past few years. Although a brief overview of general molecular, biochemical, and functional properties of ROCKs is included, an effort has been made to produce an original work by collecting and synthesizing recent studies aimed at translating basic discoveries from cell and experimental models into knowledge of human physiology, pathophysiological mechanisms, and medical therapeutics. This review points out the specificity and distinct roles of ROCK1 and ROCK2 isoforms highlighted in the last few years. Results obtained from genetically modified mice and genetic analysis in humans are discussed. This review also addresses the involvement of ROCKs in human diseases and the potential use of ROCK activity as a biomarker or a pharmacological target for specific inhibitors.
authors.affiliation: Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale UMR1087, Université de Nantes, CHU Nantes, l'institut du thorax, Nantes, France gervaise.loirand@univ-nantes.fr.
authors.forename: Gervaise
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Loirand
mesh_terms: D008841:Actin Cytoskeleton / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D030801:Animals, Genetically Modified; D001249:Asthma / Q000503:physiopathology; D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000503:physiopathology; D015415:Biomarkers; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000503:physiopathology; D002465:Cell Movement; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D004727:Endothelium / Q000502:physiology; D005901:Glaucoma / Q000503:physiopathology; D005947:Glucose / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000503:physiopathology; D007674:Kidney Diseases / Q000503:physiopathology; D007962:Leukocytes / Q000378:metabolism; D009130:Muscle, Smooth / Q000502:physiology; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000503:physiopathology; D009422:Nervous System Diseases / Q000503:physiopathology; D020641:Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide; D015398:Signal Transduction; D054460:rho-Associated Kinases / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; C515851:ROCK1 protein, human; C515852:ROCK2 protein, human; D054460:rho-Associated Kinases; D005947:Glucose