WNK2

WNK2 is the brain-enriched member of the WNK chloride-sensing kinase family and is expressed predominantly in neurons of the cortex, hippocampus and cerebellum. Like WNK1, it can activate the SPAK/OSR1 module that phosphorylates sodium-chloride cotransporters, but its physiological emphasis appears neural rather than renal. WNK2 sits within a chromosomal region frequently altered in glioma, and reduced WNK2 expression has been reported in tumor samples, prompting its proposal as a negative regulator of proliferation. Disease-causing WNK2 mutations also occur in some pseudohypoaldosteronism type II families. Because WNK2 is the least studied WNK in the brain, recombinant WNK2 aids neuronal ion-homeostasis research.