Anti-LIMK1 (Ser-323) [LIMK2 (Ser-314)], Phosphospecific Antibody

LIM kinases (LIMK1 and LIMK2) are serine/threonine kinases that have two zinc finger motifs, known as LIM motifs, in their amino-terminal regulatory domains. LIM kinases are involved in actin cytoskeletal regulation downstream of Rho-family GTPases, PAKs, and ROCK. PAK1 and ROCK phosphorylate LIMK1 or LIMK2 at the conserved Thr-508 or Thr-505 residues in the activation loop, increasing LIMK activity. In addition, VEGF-induced stress fiber formation has been linked to p38-mediated activation of LIMK through MK-2 phosphorylation of Ser-323. Activated LIM kinases inhibit the actin depolymerization activity of cofilin by phosphorylation at the amino-terminal Ser-3 residue of cofilin. In addition, LIMKs may have a function in the nucleus. It has been shown that the nuclear localization of LIMKs can mediate suppression of Rac/Cdc42-mediated cyclin D1 expression. This effect of LIMKs was independent of cofilin phosphorylation and the regulation of actin dynamics.