Abstract

The WNK (with-no lysine (K)) kinases and their downstream effector kinases, OSR1 (oxidative stress responsive 1) and SPAK (SPS/STE20-related proline-alanine rich kinase), have well-established functions in the maintenance of cell volume and ion homeostasis. Mutations in these kinases have been linked to an inherited form of hypertension, neurological defects, and other pathologies. A rapidly expanding body of evidence points to the involvement of WNKs in regulating multiple diverse cellular processes as well as the progression of some forms of cancer. How OSR1/SPAK contribute to these processes is well understood in some cases, but completely unknown in others. OSR1 and SPAK are targeted to both WNKs and substrates via their conserved C-terminal (CCT) protein interaction domains. Considerable effort has been put forth to understand the structure, function, and interaction specificity of the CCT domains in relation to WNK signaling, and multiple inhibitors of WNK signaling target these domains. The domains bind RFxV and RxFxV protein sequence motifs with the consensus sequence R-F-x-V/I or R-x-F-x-V/I, but residues outside the core motif also contribute to specificity. CCT interactions are required for OSR1 and SPAK activation and deactivation as well as cation-chloride cotransporter substrate phosphorylation. All four WNKs also contain CCT-like domains that have similar structures and conserved binding residues when compared to CCT domains, but their functions and interaction specificities are mostly unknown. A better understanding of the varied actions of these domains and their interactions will better define the known signaling mechanisms of the WNK pathway as well as uncover new ones.

Significance Statement WNK kinases and downstream effector kinases, OSR1 and SPAK, have been shown to be involved in an array of diverse cellular processes. Here we review the function of modular protein interaction domains found in OSR1 and SPAK as well as related domains found in WNKs.