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Updated: May 15, 2026

Genetic Study of Axon Regeneration with Cultured Adult Dorsal Root Ganglion Neurons
Published on: August 17, 2012
Y-39983 downregulates RhoA/Rho-associated kinase expression during its promotion of axonal regeneration
Zijian Yang1, Jing Wang, Xiaohong Liu
1Department of Ophthalmology, Ruijin Hospital Affiliated Medical School, Shanghai Jiaotong University, Shanghai 200025, PR China.
Abstract:
Y-39983, a selective Rho-associated kinase (ROCK) inhibitor, promotes axonal regeneration of damaged retinal ganglion cells (RGCs). The present study investigated the effects of Y-39983 on RhoA/ROCK expression during promotion of axonal regeneration using a rat optic nerve crush (ONC) model. Herein, we demonstrated that Y-39983 significantly enhanced the survival and axonal regeneration of RGCs after ONC. Using a pull‑down assay and affinity precipitation to examine the activity of RhoA, we detected the decreased expression of active-RhoA after using Y-39983. The expression of ROCK1 and ROCK2 was significantly decreased as demonstrated by RT-PCR, immunohistochemistry and western blot analysis. The downregulation of active-RhoA, ROCK1 and ROCK2 expression by Y-39983 coincided with the appearance of larger numbers of regenerating axons. In conclusion, Y-39983 downregulated the expression of active-RhoA, ROCK1 and ROCK2 during its promotion of axonal regeneration.
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