Research progress of Rho/ROCK signal pathway / 药学学报

ABSTRACT

Rho GTPases belong to Ras superfamily, which is reported to involve in cell migration, phagocytosis, contraction and adhesion. ROCK (also known as Rho-associated kinase) is considered to be one of the most important downstream targets of Rho that is widely investigated. Rho/ROCK signal pathway induces cytoskeletal reorganization, cell migration and stress fiber formation, affects endothelial permeability, tissue constriction and growth, involves in diabetic nephropathy, eye disease, cancer, heart disease, nerve injury disease, hypertension, radiation injury and leukemia. As a novel drug research target, Rho/ROCK signal pathway has received more and more attention. This review provides the basic characteristics and physiological effects of Rho/ROCK signal pathway, the relationships between Rho/ROCK signal pathway and diseases, and the therapeutic methods based on the Rho/ROCK signal pathway.