Figure 3.

Scheme illustrating the regulation of NMMII contractility. MLCK and Rho–ROCK pathways lead to the phosphorylation of the RLCs of NMMII and NMMII contraction. MLCP and Rac1–PAK pathways lead to NMMII relaxation. MLCK itself is stimulated by upstream Ca²⁺/calmodulin, PTKs, and PKC, while PKA inhibits MLCK. Abbreviations: MLCK, myosin light chain kinase; MLCP, myosin light chain phosphatase; NMMII, non-muscle myosin II; PAK, p21-activated kinase; PKA, protein kinase A; PKC, protein kinase C; PTKs, protein tyrosine kinases; RLCs, regulatory light chains; ROCK, Rho-associated coiled-coil-containing kinase.