WNK1

WNK lysine deficient protein kinase 1

Gene Function

Serine/threonine-protein kinase component of the WNK1-SPAK/OSR1 kinase cascade, which acts as a key regulator of blood pressure and regulatory volume increase by promoting ion influx. WNK1 mediates regulatory volume increase in response to hyperosmotic stress by acting as a molecular crowding sensor, which senses cell shrinkage and mediates formation of a membraneless compartment by undergoing liquid-liquid phase separation. The membraneless compartment concentrates WNK1 with its substrates, OXSR1/OSR1 and STK39/SPAK, promoting WNK1-dependent phosphorylation and activation of downstream kinases OXSR1/OSR1 and STK39/SPAK. Following activation, OXSR1/OSR1 and STK39/SPAK catalyze phosphorylation of ion cotransporters SLC12A1/NKCC2, SLC12A2/NKCC1, SLC12A5/KCC2 and SLC12A6/KCC3, regulating their activity. Phosphorylation of Na-K-Cl cotransporters SLC12A2/NKCC1 and SLC12A2/NKCC1 promote their activation and ion influx; simultaneously, phosphorylation of K-Cl cotransporters SLC12A5/KCC2 and SLC12A6/KCC3 inhibit their activity, blocking ion efflux. Also acts as a regulator of angiogenesis in endothelial cells via activation of OXSR1/OSR1 and STK39/SPAK: activation of OXSR1/OSR1 regulates chemotaxis and invasion, while STK39/SPAK regulates endothelial cell proliferation. Also acts independently of the WNK1-SPAK/OSR1 kinase cascade by catalyzing phosphorylation of other substrates, such as SYT2, PCF11 and NEDD4L. Mediates phosphorylation of SYT2, regulating SYT2 association with phospholipids and membrane-binding (By similarity). Regulates mRNA export in the nucleus by mediating phosphorylation of PCF11, thereby decreasing the association between PCF11 and POLR2A/RNA polymerase II and promoting mRNA export to the cytoplasm. Acts as a negative regulator of autophagy. Required for the abscission step during mitosis, independently of the WNK1-SPAK/OSR1 kinase cascade. May also play a role in actin cytoskeletal reorganization. Also acts as a scaffold protein independently of its protein kinase activity: negatively regulates cell membrane localization of various transporters and channels, such as SLC4A4, SLC26A6, SLC26A9, TRPV4 and CFTR (By similarity). Involved in the regulation of epithelial Na(+) channel (ENaC) by promoting activation of SGK1 in a kinase-independent manner: probably acts as a scaffold protein that promotes the recruitment of SGK1 to the mTORC2 complex in response to chloride, leading to mTORC2-dependent phosphorylation and activation of SGK1. Acts as an assembly factor for the ER membrane protein complex independently of its protein kinase activity: associates with EMC2 in the cytoplasm via its amphipathic alpha-helix, and prevents EMC2 ubiquitination and subsequent degradation, thereby promoting EMC2 stabilization Source: UniProt

Relationship to CMT

HSANHSN AR
2 subtypes
12p13.33
First described 2008

Subtype Inheritance Class OMIM Sentinel Publication
SubtypeHSAN-2A Inheritanceautosomal recessive ClassHSAN OMIM201300 Sentinel Publication

2008 · 10.1172/JCI34088
SubtypeHSN-2A Inheritanceautosomal recessive ClassHSN OMIM201300 Sentinel Publication

2008 · 10.1172/JCI34088

Stored Identifiers

No HGNC Aliases
hgnc_idHGNC:14540
ensembl_gene_idENSG00000060237
coords_grch38chr12:752536-911452
coords_grch37chr12:861759-1020618
entrez_id65125
omim_gene605232
uniprot_idsQ9H4A3
refseq_accessionNM_018979
mane_refseqNM_018979.4
mane_ensemblENST00000315939.11

ClinVar Variants

Pathogenic and likely pathogenic variants in WNK1, as classified in ClinVar, are read live from NCBI. Only aggregate germline records are shown. Uncertain and conflicting classifications are not. Experts in CMT makes no claim to the accuracy of ClinVar data. This index is provided for informational purposes only.

Review stars are ClinVar’s measure of how well a classification is supported: four for a practice guideline, three for an expert panel review, two for agreement among multiple submitters, one for a single submitter with criteria provided, and none where no criteria were provided.

Reported in CMT
Reported in Other Diseases

Reported in a disease other than CMT. Listed apart rather than counted as CMT variants.

Variants w/o a Recorded Disease

Pathogenic or likely pathogenic in ClinVar, submitted without a disease recorded.

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