RHO-KINASE AS A KEY PARTICIPANT IN THE REGULATION OF VASCULAR TONE IN NORMAL CIRCULATION AND VASCULAR DISORDERS

Abstract

Rho-kinase was shown to regulate the functions of almost all cells of our body. The key activator of Rhokinase is the small guanosine triphosphate (GTP)-binding protein RhoA, but RhoA-independent mechanisms of Rho-kinase regulation exist as well. In this review we describe the mechanisms affecting Rho-kinase activity in vascular smooth muscle and endothelial cells, Rho-kinase regulatory influences on fundamental physiological processes in these cells, as well as its role in the pathogenesis of vascular disorders in systemic and pulmonary arterial hypertension and diabetes mellitus.