Y 27632 is a selective inhibitor of the Rho-associated coiled-coil forming protein serine/threonine kinase (ROCK) family of protein kinases, with Kis of 140 nM and 300nM against ROCK1 and ROCK2 respectively, and greater than 200-fold selectivity over other kinases. Y 27632 is cell-permeable, orally bioavailable and active in vivo, and can enhance stem cell survival and proliferation in culture. In combination with other agents, Y 27632 can be used to reprogram fibroblasts to mature neurons and can optimise naive human pluripotent stem cell (iSPC) growth and viability. Y 27632 has been used used to generate brain organoids from iPSCs.
