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Rho-kinase inhibitors as therapeutics: from pan inhibition to isoform selectivity

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Abstract

The emerging critical implications of Rho/Rho-kinase (ROCK) signaling in neurodegenerative diseases, glaucoma, renoprotection, diabetes and cancer have sparked growing interest in the pharmacological potential of ROCK inhibitors beyond their current application in cardiovascular disease. This article discusses the therapeutic benefits of novel ROCK inhibitors in development, and highlights the recent advances in the current understanding of disease-dependent and isoform-specific functions of ROCK and their potential impact on future therapeutic strategies.

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Acknowledgments

We thank Patricia McDonald and Michael Cameron for carefully reading of the manuscript and helpful discussions.

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Correspondence to T. Schroeter.

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Hahmann, C., Schroeter, T. Rho-kinase inhibitors as therapeutics: from pan inhibition to isoform selectivity. Cell. Mol. Life Sci. 67, 171–177 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00018-009-0189-x

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