WNK4

WNK4 is the kidney-centric WNK kinase, expressed along the distal nephron where it fine-tunes electrolyte transport and blood pressure. It inhibits the thiazide-sensitive NCC and the Na-K-2Cl cotransporter NKCC2, the potassium channel ROMK, and the calcium channel TRPV5, with its effects depending on phosphorylation state and interaction with SPAK/OSR1. WNK4 was the first WNK linked to human disease: missense mutations in its acidic domain cause pseudohypoaldosteronism type II (Gordon syndrome), characterized by hypertension, hyperkalemia and metabolic acidosis that respond to thiazide diuretics. Recombinant WNK4 is widely used to dissect chloride sensing and distal-tubule transport regulation.