ROCK2

Most abundant in brain and haematopoietic cells, ROCK2 is the paralogue of ROCK1 and differs chiefly in expression pattern and in the substrates reached at particular cellular sites. It regulates microglial activation, T-cell and dendritic-cell function, and STAT3 phosphorylation relevant to autoimmune and fibrotic disease, whereas ROCK1 predominates in non-neuronal tissue. Its architecture matches ROCK1, with an N-terminal kinase domain, a central RHOA-binding coiled coil and a pleckstrin homology domain embedded in the autoinhibitory C-terminal region. Recombinant ROCK2 supports selectivity screening against ROCK1 and the MRCK isoforms, cytoskeletal signalling studies and target validation in immune-mediated fibrosis.