Rho/Rho-kinase mediated signaling in physiology and pathophysiology

J Mol Med (Berl). 2002 Oct;80(10):629-38. doi: 10.1007/s00109-002-0370-2. Epub 2002 Sep 7.

Abstract

The small GTPase Rho is implicated in many cellular functions such as cell adhesion, cell motility and migration, growth control, cell contraction, and cytokinesis. One of its main effectors, Rho-kinase, appears to play a key role in the regulation of force and velocity of actomyosin crossbridging in smooth muscle and nonmuscle cells by inhibiting myosin phosphatase-mediated dephosphorylation of the regulatory chain of myosin II. Abnormal activation of the Rho/Rho-kinase pathway has been shown to play a role in diseases such as hypertension and bronchial asthma. This review summarizes the current knowledge on the physiological and pathophysiological function of the Rho/Rho-kinase mediated pathway in various tissues with a focus on its possible role as a target for therapeutic interventions.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cell Division / physiology
  • Cell Movement / physiology
  • Humans
  • Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins
  • Muscle Contraction / physiology
  • Muscle, Smooth / enzymology
  • Muscle, Smooth / physiology*
  • Myosins / physiology*
  • Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases / metabolism
  • Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases / physiology*
  • Signal Transduction / physiology*
  • rho GTP-Binding Proteins / metabolism
  • rho GTP-Binding Proteins / physiology*
  • rho-Associated Kinases

Substances

  • Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins
  • Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases
  • rho-Associated Kinases
  • Myosins
  • rho GTP-Binding Proteins