Overview:

LIMK2 belong to a small subfamily with a unique combination of 2 N-terminal LIM motifs and a C-terminal protein kinase domain (1). LIM domains are highly conserved cysteine-rich structures that can mediate protein-protein interaction. LIMK2 is phosphorylated and activated by ROCK, a downstream effector of Rho, and then LIMK2 in turn phosphorylates cofilin, inhibiting its actin-depolymerizing activity which contributes to Rho-induced reorganization of the actin cytoskeleton (2). LIMK2 is highly expressed in liver, colon, stomach, spleen, brain, kidney, and placenta.

Gene Aliases:

(None)

Genbank Number:

CR456513

References:

1. Okano, I. et.al: Identification and characterization of a novel family of serine/threonine kinases containing two N-terminal LIM motifs. J. Biol. Chem. 270: 31321-31330, 1995.

2. Maekawa, M. et.al: Signaling from Rho to the actin cytoskeleton through protein kinases ROCK and LIM-kinase. Science 285: 895-898, 1999.