LIMK1 : LIM domain kinase 1
Description
The LIMK1 (LIM domain kinase 1) is a protein-coding gene located on chromosome 7.
The LIMK1 gene provides instructions for making a protein that is highly active in the brain, where it is thought to be involved in the growth and development of nerve cells. Studies suggest that this protein may play an important role in areas of the brain that are responsible for processing visual-spatial information (visuospatial constructive cognition). These parts of the brain are important for visualizing an object as a set of parts and performing tasks such as writing, drawing, constructing models, and assembling puzzles.Within cells, the LIMK1 protein likely regulates aspects of the cytoskeleton, the structural framework that helps to determine cell shape, size, and movement. The LIMK1 protein helps control the organization of actin filaments, which are long, thin fibers that are part of the cytoskeleton. Actin filaments are necessary for several normal cellular functions, such as cell division, cell movement (motility), maintenance of cell shape, transport of proteins and other molecules within cells, and chemical signaling between cells.
Serine/threonine-protein kinase that plays an essential role in the regulation of actin filament dynamics. Acts downstream of several Rho family GTPase signal transduction pathways. Activated by upstream kinases including ROCK1, PAK1 and PAK4, which phosphorylate LIMK1 on a threonine residue located in its activation loop. LIMK1 subsequently phosphorylates and inactivates the actin binding/depolymerizing factors cofilin-1/CFL1, cofilin-2/CFL2 and destrin/DSTN, thereby preventing the cleavage of filamentous actin (F-actin), and stabilizing the actin cytoskeleton. In this way LIMK1 regulates several actin-dependent biological processes including cell motility, cell cycle progression, and differentiation. Phosphorylates TPPP on serine residues, thereby promoting microtubule disassembly. Stimulates axonal outgrowth and may be involved in brain development.
LIMK1 is also known as LIMK, LIMK-1.
