Role of ROCK signaling in virus replication

Rho-associated protein kinase (ROCK) is a serine-threonine kinase and is a major downstream effector of the small GTPaseRhoA. Upon activation, Rho/ROCK cell signaling pathway regulates cell morphology, polarity, and cytoskeletal remodeling. Recent years have highlighted the role of ROCK signaling pathway in the replication of diverse group of viruses. Cell contractions and membrane blebbing induced by certain group of viruses is mediated via ROCK signaling and facilitates virus replication by sequestration of cellular factors and anchoring them at replication sites (viral factories). Besides, ROCK signaling also stabilizes the nascent viral mRNA for its efficient transcription and translation and, regulates trafficking of the viral proteins. In addition, ROCK signaling is also involved in modulating the immune response to viral infections. This review describes the regulation of virus replication by ROCK signaling with the basic aim of defining it as a target for the development of novel antiviral therapeutics.