WNK-SPAK-NCC cascade revisited: WNK1 stimulates the activity of the Na-Cl cotransporter via SPAK, an effect antagonized by WNK4

M Chávez-Canales, C Zhang, C Soukaseum… - …, 2014 - Am Heart Assoc
M Chávez-Canales, C Zhang, C Soukaseum, E Moreno, D Pacheco-Alvarez, E Vidal-Petiot…
Hypertension, 2014Am Heart Assoc
The with-no-lysine (K) kinases, WNK1 and WNK4, are key regulators of blood pressure.
Their mutations lead to familial hyperkalemic hypertension (FHHt), associated with an
activation of the Na-Cl cotransporter (NCC). Although it is clear that WNK4 mutants activate
NCC via Ste20 proline-alanine–rich kinase, the mechanisms responsible for WNK1-related
FHHt and alterations in NCC activity are not as clear. We tested whether WNK1 modulates
NCC through WNK4, as predicted by some models, by crossing our recently developed …
The with-no-lysine (K) kinases, WNK1 and WNK4, are key regulators of blood pressure. Their mutations lead to familial hyperkalemic hypertension (FHHt), associated with an activation of the Na-Cl cotransporter (NCC). Although it is clear that WNK4 mutants activate NCC via Ste20 proline-alanine–rich kinase, the mechanisms responsible for WNK1-related FHHt and alterations in NCC activity are not as clear. We tested whether WNK1 modulates NCC through WNK4, as predicted by some models, by crossing our recently developed WNK1-FHHt mice (WNK1+/FHHt) with WNK4−/− mice. Surprisingly, the activated NCC, hypertension, and hyperkalemia of WNK1+/FHHt mice remain in the absence of WNK4. We demonstrate that WNK1 powerfully stimulates NCC in a WNK4-independent and Ste20 proline-alanine–rich kinase–dependent manner. Moreover, WNK4 decreases the WNK1 and WNK3-mediated activation of NCC. Finally, the formation of oligomers of WNK kinases through their C-terminal coiled-coil domain is essential for their activity toward NCC. In conclusion, WNK kinases form a network in which WNK4 associates with WNK1 and WNK3 to regulate NCC.
Am Heart Assoc