LIMK1/2 Antibody – Rabbit Polyclonal

There are approximately 40 known eukaryotic LIM proteins, so named for the LIM domains they contain. LIM domains are highly conserved cysteine-rich structures containing 2 zinc fingers. Although zinc fingers usually function by binding to DNA or RNA, the LIM motif probably mediates protein-protein interactions. LIM kinase-1 and LIM kinase-2 belong to a small subfamily with a unique combination of 2 N-terminal LIM motifs and a C-terminal protein kinase domain. LIMK1 is a serine/threonine kinase that regulates actin polymerization via phosphorylation and inactivation of the actin binding factor cofilin. This protein is ubiquitously expressed during development and plays a role in many cellular processes associated with cytoskeletal structure. This protein also stimulates axon growth and may play a role in brain development. LIMK1 hemizygosity is implicated in the impaired visuospatial constructive cognition of Williams syndrome. Alternative splicing results in multiple transcript variants encoding distinct isoforms.[provided by RefSeq, Feb 2011]

LIMK1: a TKL kinase of the LISK family which mediates Rho signaling to cytoskeleton. Contains two N-terminal LIM motifs. Phosphorylated and activated by PAK1 and ROCK, downstream effectors of Rho. May be involved in brain development. Phosphorylates and inactivates the actin binding/depolymerizing factor cofilin and induces actin cytoskeletal changes. The LIM domain interacts with the cytoplasmic domain of NRG1. Binds ROCK1. Interacts with slingshot 1. Overexpressed in prostate tumors and prostate and breast cancer cell lines; manipulation of activity correlates with invasiveness in breast and prostate cancer models. Located within the 7q11.2 amplicon associated with metastatic prostate cancer. Loss of one copy of LIMK1 is the likely cause of visuospatial cognition defects seen in small chromosomal deletions associated with dominant Williams-Beuren syndrome Three splice variant have been identified.

Protein type: Protein kinase, TKL; Kinase, protein; EC 2.7.11.1; Protein kinase, Ser/Thr (non-receptor); TKL group; LISK family; LIMK subfamily

Chromosomal Location of Human Ortholog: 7q11.23

Cellular Component: nucleoplasm; neuron projection; focal adhesion; cytoplasm; cytosol

Molecular Function: protein serine/threonine kinase activity; protein binding; zinc ion binding; protein heterodimerization activity; heat shock protein binding; ATP binding; protein kinase activity

Biological Process: axon guidance; nervous system development; positive regulation of axon extension; positive regulation of stress fiber formation; negative regulation of ubiquitin-protein ligase activity; ephrin receptor signaling pathway; innate immune response; positive regulation of actin filament bundle formation; actin cytoskeleton organization and biogenesis; signal transduction; protein amino acid phosphorylation; Rho protein signal transduction

Disease: Williams-beuren Syndrome