The p160 ROCK is activated by several upstream pathways, including activated Rho-GTP and activated caspase 3. ROCK has a wide range of targets that are regulated when phosphorylated by ROCK. Downstream signaling of ROCK can influence many different biological responses, including cell migration, cell adhesion and apoptosis. ROCKi are believed to primarily inhibit the activity of ROCK 1 and 2, but may influence the activity of other kinases.
ERM: Ezrin, radixin and moesin; GF: Growth factor; GFAP: Glial fibrillary acidic protein; GFR: Growth factor receptor; GPCR: G-protein-coupled receptor; MLC: Myosin light chain; MLCP: Myosin light chain phosphatase; NF-L: Neurofilament protein; NHE: Na+/H+ exchanger; PRK: Protein kinase C-related kinase; ROCK: Rho-associated coiled-coil kinase; ROCKi: ROCK inhibitor.