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Review
. 2017 Jun 20;8(25):41749-41763.
doi: 10.18632/oncotarget.16978.

LIM kinases: cofilin and beyond

Chloé Prunier  1   2 , Renaud Prudent  3 , Reuben Kapur  4 , Karin Sadoul  1 , Laurence Lafanechère  1
Affiliations
Review

LIM kinases: cofilin and beyond

Chloé Prunier et al. Oncotarget. .

Abstract

LIM kinases are common downstream effectors of several signalization pathways and function as a signaling node that controls cytoskeleton dynamics through the phosphorylation of the cofilin family proteins. These last 10 years, several reports indicate that the functions of LIM kinases are more extended than initially described and, specifically, that LIM kinases also control microtubule dynamics, independently of their regulation of actin microfilament. In this review we analyze the data supporting these conclusions and the possible mechanisms that could be involved in the control of microtubules by LIM kinases. The demonstration that LIM kinases also control microtubule dynamics has pointed to new therapeutic opportunities. Consistently, several new LIM kinase inhibitors have been recently developed. We provide a comprehensive comparison of these inhibitors, of their chemical structure, their specificity, their cellular effects as well as their effects in animal models of various diseases including cancer.

Keywords: LIM kinases; cytoskeleton; inhibitors; microtubules.

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Conflict of interest statement

CONFLICTS OF INTEREST

I would like to mention that, as shareholders of Cellipse S.A.S., L.Lafanechère and R. Prudent disclose a potential conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1. Schematic structure of LIM Kinases
Figure 2
Figure 2. LIMK1 and LIMK2, a signalization hub that controls actin and microtubule dynamics
Figure 3
Figure 3. Possible mechanisms for LIMK regulation of microtubule dynamics
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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