**Background of ROCK1 Antibody**
The ROCK1 (Rho-associated coiled-coil containing protein kinase 1) antibody is a key tool for studying the ROCK1 protein, a serine/threonine kinase within the AGC family of kinases. ROCK1 is activated by binding to Rho GTPases (e.g., RhoA) and plays a pivotal role in regulating cytoskeletal dynamics, cell contraction, motility, proliferation, and apoptosis. It mediates these functions by phosphorylating downstream targets such as MYPT1 (myosin phosphatase target subunit 1) and LIMK1/2 (LIM kinase 1/2), which influence actomyosin contractility and actin filament stability.
ROCK1 is implicated in diverse physiological and pathological processes, including vascular smooth muscle contraction, angiogenesis, cancer metastasis, and neurological disorders. Dysregulation of ROCK1 signaling is linked to hypertension, atherosclerosis, fibrosis, and tumor invasion.
ROCK1 antibodies are widely used in research to detect protein expression, activation status, and localization via techniques like Western blotting, immunohistochemistry (IHC), and immunofluorescence (IF). These antibodies are typically validated for specificity using knockout controls or siRNA-mediated silencing. Both monoclonal and polyclonal variants are available, often derived from rabbits or mice.
ROCK1 shares homology with ROCK2. but differences in tissue distribution (e.g., ROCK1 is enriched in non-neuronal tissues) and substrate preferences make isoform-specific antibodies critical for delineating their unique roles. Targeting ROCK1 has therapeutic potential, with inhibitors like Y-27632 used experimentally to explore its pathophysiological contributions.