{
  "abstract": "Rho-associated protein kinases (ROCK1/2) are critical regulators of fundamental cellular processes and represent promising therapeutic targets for various pathologies, particularly cardiovascular disease. While the terminal globular kinase domain and the PH-C1 tandem (PHn-C1-PHc) are well characterized, the sequence-structure-function relationship of the central amphipathic α-helical segment remains poorly understood. Utilizing an integrative biophysical approach—including multi-angle light scattering (MALS), analytical ultracentrifugation (AUC), small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS), negative-stain electron microscopy (EM), X-ray crystallography, and 3D molecular modeling—we elucidate the structural organization of the central coiled-coil region of ROCK1. Notably, the 2.2 Å resolution crystal structure of the homology region 1 (HR1) of ROCK1 reveals a canonical parallel coiled-coil dimer. This structural arrangement diverges significantly from the antiparallel coiled-coil HR1 module found in other Rho effector kinases. Combined with the structural reconstitution of full-length ROCK1, our data demonstrates that the central segment of ROCK1 forms a highly elongated coiled-coil dimer. Furthermore, EM analysis of the isolated full coiled-coil domain uncovers a dynamic oligomerization state, transitioning between a dimer and a tetramer. Together, these biophysical insights establish a foundation that opens avenues for future investigation into ROCK1 regulation, activation, and downstream signaling mechanisms.",
  "abstract_shown": true,
  "affiliations": [],
  "article_type": "research article",
  "arxiv": null,
  "author_total": 15,
  "authors": [
    {
      "name": "Badri Nath Dubey",
      "orcid": "0000-0002-8626-8918"
    },
    {
      "name": "Soheila Rezaei Adariani"
    },
    {
      "name": "Lothar Gremer",
      "orcid": "0000-0001-7065-5027"
    },
    {
      "name": "Radovan Dvorsky"
    },
    {
      "name": "Yan Nie",
      "orcid": "0000-0003-2521-8519"
    },
    {
      "name": "Ehsan Amin"
    },
    {
      "name": "Jens M. Moll"
    },
    {
      "name": "Sicai Zhang",
      "orcid": "0000-0002-8894-5476"
    },
    {
      "name": "Sander H. J. Smits",
      "orcid": "0000-0003-0780-9251"
    },
    {
      "name": "Melissa A. Graewert",
      "orcid": "0000-0001-7547-636X"
    },
    {
      "name": "Dieter Willbold"
    },
    {
      "name": "Georg Groth"
    },
    {
      "name": "Luitgard Nagel"
    },
    {
      "name": "Sabrina Pospich",
      "orcid": "0000-0002-5119-3039"
    },
    {
      "name": "Mohammad R. Ahmadian",
      "orcid": "0000-0002-2034-8894"
    }
  ],
  "bibtex": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/8tfxgwre830p4.bib",
  "cited_by": 0,
  "doi": "10.1038/s42004-026-02258-2",
  "fulltext_url": "https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC13737125/",
  "id": "8tfxgwre830p4",
  "issns": [
    "2399-3669"
  ],
  "landing_url": "https://www.nature.com/articles/s42004-026-02258-2",
  "language": "en",
  "licence": "CC-BY-4.0",
  "licence_label": "CC BY 4.0",
  "licence_source": "article",
  "licence_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0",
  "metadata_licence": null,
  "native_subjects": [
    [
      "heading",
      "Article"
    ]
  ],
  "openalex": null,
  "pdf_url": "https://www.nature.com/articles/s42004-026-02258-2.pdf",
  "pmcid": "PMC13737125",
  "pmid": "42982868",
  "published": "2026-11-04",
  "publisher": "Springer Science and Business Media LLC",
  "ris": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/8tfxgwre830p4.ris",
  "sources": [
    {
      "first_seen": "2026-11-04T12:20:49Z",
      "native_id": "10.1038/s42004-026-02258-2",
      "source": "feed-nature",
      "url": "https://www.nature.com/articles/s42004-026-02258-2"
    },
    {
      "first_seen": "2026-11-04T12:20:50Z",
      "native_id": "10.1038/s42004-026-02258-2",
      "source": "crossref",
      "url": "https://www.nature.com/articles/s42004-026-02258-2"
    },
    {
      "first_seen": "2026-11-09T12:22:25Z",
      "native_id": "PMC13737125",
      "source": "pmc",
      "url": "https://doi.org/10.1038/s42004-026-02258-2"
    }
  ],
  "subjects": [
    {
      "field": "chemistry",
      "origin": "issn:2399-3669",
      "subfield": "general"
    }
  ],
  "title": "Structural and functional insights into the p160 Rho-associated coiled-coil-containing protein kinase ROCK",
  "title_text": "Structural and functional insights into the p160 Rho-associated coiled-coil-containing protein kinase ROCK",
  "type": "peer-reviewed",
  "updated_at": "2026-11-09T12:22:25Z",
  "url": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/8tfxgwre830p4",
  "venue": "Communications Chemistry",
  "versions": []
}