Rho Kinase Inhibition: A New Approach for Treating Diabetic Nephropathy?

摘要

Rho family GTPases have received increasing atten-tion as critical regulators of cell function (1). Initially, they were shown to regulate actin dynam-ics, thereby modulating development, cell migration, immune responses, and cancer cell invasion and metastasis. More recent studies have shown that they are also involved in cell-cell adhesion and cell cycle progression. RhoA is one of the most widely studied of the 22 mammalian members of the family, and the serine-threonine kinase Rho kinase (ROCK) is a major RhoA effector.