Serysheva, E., Berhane, H., Grumolato, L., Demir, K., Balmer, S., Bodak, M., Boutros, M., Aaronson, S., Mlodzik, M., Jenny, A. (2013). Wnk kinases are positive regulators of canonical Wnt/β-catenin signalling. EMBO Rep. 14(8): 718--725.
FlyBase ID
FBrf0222370
Publication Type
Research paper
Abstract
Wnt/β-catenin signalling is central to development and its regulation is essential in preventing cancer. Using phosphorylation of Dishevelled as readout of pathway activation, we identified Drosophila Wnk kinase as a new regulator of canonical Wnt/β-catenin signalling. WNK kinases are known for regulating ion co-transporters associated with hypertension disorders. We demonstrate that wnk loss-of-function phenotypes resemble canonical Wnt pathway mutants, while Wnk overexpression causes gain-of-function canonical Wnt-signalling phenotypes. Importantly, knockdown of human WNK1 and WNK2 also results in decreased Wnt signalling in mammalian cell culture, suggesting that Wnk kinases have a conserved function in ensuring peak levels of canonical Wnt signalling.
