The LIMK1 gene provides instructions for making a protein that is highly active in the brain, where it is thought to be involved in the growth and development of nerve cells. Studies suggest that this protein may play an important role in areas of the brain that are responsible for processing visual-spatial information (visuospatial constructive cognition). These parts of the brain are important for visualizing an object as a set of parts and performing tasks such as writing, drawing, constructing models, and assembling puzzles.
Within cells, the LIMK1 protein likely regulates aspects of the cytoskeleton, the structural framework that helps to determine cell shape, size, and movement. The LIMK1 protein helps control the organization of actin filaments, which are long, thin fibers that are part of the cytoskeleton. Actin filaments are necessary for several normal cellular functions, such as cell division, cell movement (motility), maintenance of cell shape, transport of proteins and other molecules within cells, and chemical signaling between cells.
Other Names
LIM kinase; LIM kinase 1; LIM motif-containing protein kinase; LIMK; LIMK-1; LIMK1_HUMAN
Related Genetics Topics
Identifiers
- NCBI Gene: 3984
- OMIM: 601329
Source: MedlinePlus Genetics, U.S. National Library of Medicine.
