Rho-associated kinase (ROCK) is a serine-threonine kinase known to play an important role in Rho-mediated cytoskeleton remodeling and contractile force generation. Down-regulation of ROCK signaling has been shown to enable the cell-adhesion interactions necessary for maintaining human embryonic stem cell survival...

This gene is a member of the NGF-beta family and encodes a secreted protein which homodimerizes and is incorporated into a larger complex. This protein has nerve growth stimulating activity and the complex is involved in the regulation of growth and the differentiation of sympathetic and certain sensory neurons....