Rho-associated coiled-coil containing protein kinase 1 (ROCK1) mRNA (ROCK1 mRNA)

Rho-associated coiled-coil containing protein kinase 1 (ROCK1) mRNA is the transcript that encodes the ROCK1 protein, a serine/threonine kinase and a primary effector of the RhoA GTPase (UniProt P70335). This mRNA plays a pivotal role in cellular physiology by providing the template for a protein that regulates the actin-myosin cytoskeleton, thereby influencing cell shape, motility, and contraction (PubMed: 18987618). In pathological states, the upregulation of ROCK1 mRNA is linked to several diseases, including hypertension, cardiac hypertrophy, and various forms of cancer where it promotes metastasis (PubMed: 21549250). Therapeutic targeting of ROCK1 mRNA using RNA interference (RNAi) or antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs) is an emerging strategy designed to selectively reduce ROCK1 protein levels (PubMed: 25663181). This approach is particularly explored in the treatment of glaucoma, where silencing ROCK1 can facilitate aqueous humor outflow and reduce intraocular pressure (PubMed: 23633557). By targeting the mRNA rather than the protein's catalytic site, these therapies may offer improved specificity over traditional small-molecule inhibitors that often cross-react with the ROCK2 isoform.

Other names

Rho-associated protein kinase 1 mRNAp160ROCK mRNAROCK-I mRNAROCK1 transcript

RNA interference (siRNA) or RNase H-mediated cleavage (ASO) resulting in the degradation of the ROCK1 transcript and subsequent reduction in ROCK1 protein synthesis.