WNK2

The protein encoded by this gene is a cytoplasmic serine-threonine kinase that contains cysteine in place of the lysine found at the conserved ATP-binding location in subdomain II of protein kinases. Since this protein does have kinase activity, it is possible that another lysine in the kinase subdomain I can substitute for the missing conserved lysine. [provided by RefSeq]

Full Name

WNK lysine deficient protein kinase 2

Function

Serine/threonine kinase which plays an important role in the regulation of electrolyte homeostasis, cell signaling, survival, and proliferation. Acts as an activator and inhibitor of sodium-coupled chloride cotransporters and potassium-coupled chloride cotransporters respectively. Activates SLC12A2, SCNN1A, SCNN1B, SCNN1D and SGK1 and inhibits SLC12A5. Negatively regulates the EGF-induced activation of the ERK/MAPK-pathway and the downstream cell cycle progression. Affects MAPK3/MAPK1 activity by modulating the activity of MAP2K1 and this modulation depends on phosphorylation of MAP2K1 by PAK1. WNK2 acts by interfering with the activity of PAK1 by controlling the balance of the activity of upstream regulators of PAK1 activity, RHOA and RAC1, which display reciprocal activity.

Biological Process

Biological Process intracellular signal transduction Source:UniProtKB
Biological Process ion homeostasis Source:UniProtKB1 Publication
Biological Process negative regulation of cell population proliferation Source:UniProtKB1 Publication
Biological Process negative regulation of ERK1 and ERK2 cascade Source:UniProtKB1 Publication
Biological Process negative regulation of sodium ion transport Source:GO_Central1 Publication
Biological Process positive regulation of canonical Wnt signaling pathway Source:FlyBase1 Publication
Biological Process positive regulation of potassium ion import across plasma membrane Source:GO_Central1 Publication
Biological Process positive regulation of sodium ion transmembrane transporter activity Source:UniProtKB1 Publication
Biological Process protein autophosphorylation Source:UniProtKB1 Publication
Biological Process protein phosphorylation Source:UniProtKB1 Publication

Cellular Location

Cytoplasm
Cell membrane

PTM

Autophosphorylated.