WNK4 enhances TRPV5-mediated calcium transport: potential role in hypercalciuria of familial hyperkalemic hypertension caused by gene mutation of WNK4

Am J Physiol Renal Physiol. 2007 Feb;292(2):F545-54. doi: 10.1152/ajprenal.00187.2006. Epub 2006 Oct 3.

Abstract

The epithelial Ca(2+) channel TRPV5 serves as a gatekeeper for active Ca(2+) reabsorption in the distal convoluted tubule and connecting tubule of the kidney. WNK4, a protein serine/threonine kinase with gene mutations that cause familial hyperkalemic hypertension (FHH), including a subtype with hypercalciuria, is also localized in the distal tubule of the nephron. To understand the role of WNK4 in modulation of Ca(2+) reabsorption, we evaluated the effect of WNK4 on TRPV5-mediated Ca(2+) transport in Xenopus laevis oocytes. Coexpression of TRPV5 with WNK4 resulted in a twofold increase in TRPV5-mediated Ca(2+) uptake. The increase in Ca(2+) uptake was due to the increase in surface expression of TRPV5. When the thiazide-sensitive Na(+)-Cl(-) cotransporter NCC was coexpressed, the effect of WNK4 on TRPV5 was weakened by NCC in a dose-dependent manner. Although the WNK4 disease-causing mutants E562K, D564A, Q565E, and R1185C retained their ability to upregulate TRPV5, the blocking effect of NCC was further strengthened when wild-type WNK4 was replaced by the Q565E mutant, which causes FHH with hypercalciuria. We conclude that WNK4 positively regulates TRPV5-mediated Ca(2+) transport and that the inhibitory effect of NCC on this process may be involved in the pathogenesis of hypercalciuria of FHH caused by gene mutation in WNK4.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Calcium / metabolism*
  • Calcium / urine
  • Humans
  • Hypercalciuria / physiopathology
  • Hyperkalemia / genetics*
  • Hypertension / genetics*
  • Patch-Clamp Techniques
  • Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases / genetics
  • Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases / physiology*
  • TRPV Cation Channels / physiology*
  • Xenopus laevis

Substances

  • TRPV Cation Channels
  • TRPV5 protein, human
  • Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases
  • WNK4 protein, human
  • Calcium