※ WNK family introduction

    WNK family kinase are serine/threonine kinase and are classified into Others family. Four genes have been found encoding the WNK kinases in human genome, WNK1-4. WNKs function diversity in different cells and tissues. Studies show that WNKs regulate three sodium transportes, including NKCC2, NCC and ENaC. What's more, WNKs can regulate aldosterone-regulated renal outer medullary potassium channel (ROMK). WNKs can also be regarded as molecular switches that modify tansporter acitvity depending on physiological demands. Furthermore, WNKs also appear to be part of a larger kinase network, such as Ste20-related kinase SPAK and serum and glucocorticoid inducible kinase 1 (SGK1). Mutations or abnormal expression will lead to familial hyperkalemic hypertension (1).

Reference
1. Hoorn, E.J. and Ellison, D.H. (2012) WNK kinases and the kidney. Exp Cell Res, 318, 1020-1026. PMID: 22405999.