Members of the WNK family of novel serine/threonine kinases inhibit secretion of potassium from the kidney via ROMK. Potassium deficiency—a common problem of modern diets—promotes potassium retention by upregulating WNK1. In this Review of data from animal and human studies, Huang and Kuo frame the hypothesis that WNK-mediated potassium retention is accompanied by sodium retention, and thereby contributes to the development of salt-sensitive hypertension.
- Chou-Long Huang
- Elizabeth Kuo
