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Updated: May 10, 2026

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Published on: June 17, 2014
Wnk kinases are positive regulators of canonical Wnt/β-catenin signalling
Ekatherina Serysheva1, Hebist Berhane, Luca Grumolato
1Department of Developmental and Regenerative Biology, New York, New York 10029, USA.
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.
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