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10.1002/cm.20472.absRho-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. (copyright) 2010 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
K. Kaibuchi. Department of Cell Pharmacology, Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya University, 65 Tsurumai, Showa-ku, Nagoya 466-8550, Japan. kaibuchi@med.nagoya-u.ac.jp
3.6 Cellular biology (Part of: 3 Laboratory methods)
3.8 Pharmacology (Part of: 3 Laboratory methods)