Definition: A group of intracellular-signaling serine threonine kinases that bind to RHO GTP-BINDING PROTEINS. They were originally found to mediate the effects of rhoA GTP-BINDING PROTEIN on the formation of STRESS FIBERS and FOCAL ADHESIONS. Rho-associated kinases have specificity for a variety of substrates including MYOSIN-LIGHT-CHAIN PHOSPHATASE and LIM KINASES.
Other names rho Kinase; rho Associated Protein Kinase beta; rho Associated Protein Kinase alpha; rho Associated Kinases; rho Associated Kinase beta; rho Associated Kinase alpha; rho Associated Kinase 2; rho Associated Kinase 1; rho Associated Kinase; rho Associated Coiled Coil Kinase; rho Associated Coiled Coil Containing Protein Kina; rho Associated Coiled Coil Containing Protein Kina; p160 rhoA Binding Kinase ROKalpha; ROCK II Protein Kinase; ROCK I Protein Kinase; Protein Kinases, ROCK; Coiled-Coil Kinase, rho-Associated; rho-Associated Protein Kinase beta; rho-Associated Protein Kinase alpha; rho-Associated Kinase beta
