A Phosphorylated Intermediate in the Activation of WNK Kinases

Radha Akella, Mateusz A. Drozdz, John M. Humphreys, Jenny Jiou, Mateusz Z. Durbacz, Zuhair J. Mohammed, Haixia He, Joanna Liwocha, Kamil Sekulski, Elizabeth J. Goldsmith

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

13 Scopus citations

Abstract

WNK kinases autoactivate by autophosphorylation. Crystallography of the kinase domain of WNK1 phosphorylated on the primary activating site (pWNK1) in the presence of AMP-PNP reveals a well-ordered but inactive configuration. This new pWNK1 structure features specific and unique interactions of the phosphoserine, less hydration, and smaller cavities compared with those of unphosphorylated WNK1 (uWNK1). Because WNKs are activated by osmotic stress in cells, we addressed whether the structure was influenced directly by osmotic pressure. pWNK1 crystals formed in PEG3350 were soaked in the osmolyte sucrose. Suc-WNK1 crystals maintained X-ray diffraction, but the lattice constants and pWNK1 structure changed. Differences were found in the activation loop and helix C, common switch loci in kinase activation. On the basis of these structural changes, we tested for effects on in vitro activity of two WNKs, pWNK1 and pWNK3. The osmolyte PEG400 enhanced ATPase activity. Our data suggest multistage activation of WNKs.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1747-1755
Number of pages9
JournalBiochemistry
Volume59
Issue number18
DOIs
StatePublished - May 12 2020
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Biochemistry

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