LIM kinases (LIMKs) are important cell cytoskeleton regulators that play a prominent role in cancer manifestation and neuronal diseases.There are two homologues in the LIMK family, LIMK1 and LIMK2, and they are distinct from one another in terms of expression pattern, intercellular localization, and function. Cofilin, a protein belonging to the actin-depolymerizing factor (ADF) protein family, is the main substrate of LIMK. Cofilin becomes inactive when it has been phosphorylated by LIMK. LIMKs contribute to the growth and metastasis of cancer as well as a number of neurodevelopmental disorders.
LIM domain kinases (LIMK1 and 2) phosphorylate cofilin at serine-3 to control actin dynamics and are substrates for Cdc42/Rac-PAK. The actin severing and depolymerizing activity of cofilin is rendered inactive by this modification. LIMKs control cell cycle progression by translocating into the nucleus. Potentially effective therapeutic targets for merlin-deficient tumors like NF2 include LIMKs.