@article{oai:nagoya.repo.nii.ac.jp:00003942,
 author = {Kawano, Yoji and Yoshimura, Takeshi and Kaibuchi, Kozo},
 issue = {1-2},
 journal = {Nagoya Journal of Medical Science},
 month = {May},
 note = {Abnormal contraction of vascular smooth muscle contributes to a variety of diseases such as hypertension and vasospasm in coronary and cerebral arteries. An increment in a cytoplasmic Ca2+ concentration is the key event in smooth muscle contraction. However, smooth muscle contraction is modified upon the stimulation by agonists as well as in some pathophysiological situations in Ca2+-independent mechanism.  The molecular mechanism underlying this modulation was not elucidated. Recent studies have shown the important role of small GTPase Rho and its effector, Rho-associated kinase (Rho-kinase)/ROK/ROCK in Ca2+-independent regulation of smooth muscle contraction. The Rho/Rho-kinase pathway modulates the phosphorylation level of myosin light chain (MLC) of myosin II, mainly through the inhibition of myosin phosphatase, and contributes to the agonist-induced Ca2+-sensitization in smooth muscle contraction. The Rho/Rho-kinase pathway is involved in the pathogenesis of hypertension, vasospasm and arteriosclerosis, and is a potent target of new therapies for these diseases.},
 pages = {1--8},
 title = {Smooth muscle contraction by small GTPase Rho},
 volume = {65},
 year = {2002}
}