Regression of cardiovascular remodeling in hypertension: Novel relevant mechanisms

Table 1 Rho kinase downstream target proteins, some signaling pathways and cellular functions[8]

ROCK downstreamtarget protein	Signaling pathway	Function
Myosin binding subunit of MLC/MYPT1	MYPT1/MLC	Stress fiber formation
MLC2	MYPT1/MLC2	Mediates calcium sensitization and thereby enhances and sustains contraction in the vascular bed
LIM kinase/cofilin	LIM kinase/cofilin	Stress fiber formation
Ezrin/radixin/moesin
Adducin

ROCK: Rho kinase; MLC: Myosin light chain; MYPT1: Myosin phosphatase target subunit 1.

Table 2 Cellular functions controlled by the RhoA/Rho kinase pathway[7-9]

Cytoskeletal dynamics and actin organization (formation of stress fibers and focal adhesion complexes)

Cell contraction

Adhesion

Morphology

Motility

Transcriptional regulation (pro remodeling genes)

Cell proliferation and cytokinesis

Differentiation

Apoptosis

Insulin-stimulated insulin receptor substrate-1 phosphorylation

Development