WNK4 regulates activity of the epithelial Na+ channel in vitro and in vivo

Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2007 Mar 6;104(10):4020-4. doi: 10.1073/pnas.0611727104. Epub 2007 Feb 26.

Abstract

Homeostasis of intravascular volume, Na(+), Cl(-), and K(+) is interdependent and determined by the coordinated activities of structurally diverse mediators in the distal nephron and the distal colon. The behavior of these flux pathways is regulated by the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system; however, the mechanisms that allow independent modulation of individual elements have been obscure. Previous work has shown that mutations in WNK4 cause pseudohypoaldosteronism type II (PHAII), a disease featuring hypertension with hyperkalemia, due to altered activity of specific Na-Cl cotransporters, K(+) channels, and paracellular Cl(-) flux mediators of the distal nephron. By coexpression studies in Xenopus oocytes, we now demonstrate that WNK4 also inhibits the epithelial Na(+) channel (ENaC), the major mediator of aldosterone-sensitive Na(+) (re)absorption, via a mechanism that is independent of WNK4's kinase activity. This inhibition requires intact C termini in ENaC beta- and gamma-subunits, which contain PY motifs used to target ENaC for clearance from the plasma membrane. Importantly, PHAII-causing mutations eliminate WNK4's inhibition of ENaC, thereby paralleling other effects of PHAII to increase sodium balance. The relevance of these findings in vivo was studied in mice harboring PHAII-mutant WNK4. The colonic epithelium of these mice demonstrates markedly increased amiloride-sensitive Na(+) flux compared with wild-type littermates. These studies identify ENaC as a previously unrecognized downstream target of WNK4 and demonstrate a functional role for WNK4 in the regulation of colonic Na(+) absorption. These findings support a key role for WNK4 in coordinating the activities of diverse flux pathways to achieve integrated fluid and electrolyte homeostasis.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Aldosterone / metabolism
  • Animals
  • Colon / metabolism
  • Epithelial Sodium Channels / metabolism*
  • Hyperkalemia / metabolism
  • Hypertension / metabolism
  • Mice
  • Mice, Transgenic
  • Mutation
  • Oocytes / metabolism
  • Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases / genetics*
  • Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases / physiology*
  • Pseudohypoaldosteronism / metabolism
  • Rats
  • Renin-Angiotensin System
  • Xenopus laevis / metabolism

Substances

  • Epithelial Sodium Channels
  • Aldosterone
  • Prkwnk4 protein, mouse
  • Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases