Wnk1 kinase deficiency lowers blood pressure in mice: a gene-trap screen to identify potential targets for therapeutic intervention.
The availability of both the mouse and human genome sequences allows for the systematic discovery of human gene function through the use of the mouse as a model system. To accelerate the genetic determination of gene function, we have developed a sequence-tagged gene-trap library of >270,000 mouse embryonic stem cell clones representing mutations in approximately 60% of mammalian genes. Through the generation and phenotypic analysis of knockout mice from this resource, we are undertaking a functional screen to identify genes regulating physiological parameters such as blood pressure. As part of this screen, mice deficient for the Wnk1 kinase gene were generated and analyzed. Genetic studies in humans have shown that large intronic deletions in WNK1 lead to its overexpression and are responsible for pseudohypoaldosteronism type II, an autosomal dominant disorder characterized by hypertension, increased renal salt reabsorption, and impaired K+ and H+ excretion. Consistent with the human genetic studies, Wnk1 heterozygous mice displayed a significant decrease in blood pressure. Mice homozygous for the Wnk1 mutation died during embryonic development before day 13 of gestation. These results demonstrate that Wnk1 is a regulator of blood pressure critical for development and illustrate the utility of a functional screen driven by a sequence-based mutagenesis approach.
Zambrowicz
Brian P
BP
Lexicon Genetics, 8800 Technology Forest Place, The Woodlands, TX 77381, USA. brian@lexgen.com
Abuin
Alejandro
A
Ramirez-Solis
Ramiro
R
Richter
Lizabeth J
LJ
Piggott
James
J
BeltrandelRio
Hector
H
Buxton
Eric C
EC
Edwards
Joel
J
Finch
Rick A
RA
Friddle
Carl J
CJ
Gupta
Anupma
A
Hansen
Gwenn
G
Hu
Yi
Y
Huang
Wenhu
W
Jaing
Crystal
C
Key
Billie Wayne
BW
Kipp
Peter
P
Kohlhauff
Buckley
B
Ma
Zhi-Qing
ZQ
Markesich
Diane
D
Payne
Robert
R
Potter
David G
DG
Qian
Ny
N
Shaw
Joseph
J
Schrick
Jeff
J
Shi
Zheng-Zheng
ZZ
Sparks
Mary Jean
MJ
Van Sligtenhorst
Isaac
I
Vogel
Peter
P
Walke
Wade
W
Xu
Nianhua
N
Zhu
Qichao
Q
Person
Christophe
C
Sands
Arthur T
AT
D000818:Animals; D001483:Base Sequence; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D018076:DNA, Complementary / Q000235:genetics; D015723:Gene Library; D005821:Genetic Techniques; D006579:Heterozygote; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000628:therapy; D047908:Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D018345:Mice, Knockout; D008822:Mice, Transgenic; D015778:Minor Histocompatibility Antigens; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D016254:Mutagenesis, Insertional / Q000379:methods; D010641:Phenotype; D017346:Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases / Q000172:deficiency* / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D016324:Sequence Tagged Sites; D000076204:WNK Lysine-Deficient Protein Kinase 1
D018076:DNA, Complementary; D047908:Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; D015778:Minor Histocompatibility Antigens; D017346:Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases; D000076204:WNK Lysine-Deficient Protein Kinase 1; C498743:WNK1 protein, human; C498744:Wnk1 protein, mouse