ROCK1

ROCK1 is a serine/threonine kinase of the DMPK group activated by GTP-bound RHOA, whose binding to the central coiled coil relieves autoinhibition imposed by the C-terminal tail. Active ROCK1 phosphorylates myosin regulatory light chain directly and inhibits myosin phosphatase through MYPT1, raising actomyosin tension, while additional substrates such as LIMK, cofilin, ERM proteins and adducin link it to actin filament remodelling. ROCK1 is broadly expressed with emphasis in non-neuronal tissues and underlies stress-fibre formation, focal adhesion turnover and vascular tone. Caspase cleavage of its C-terminus generates a constitutively active fragment that drives membrane blebbing during apoptosis.