Abstract: With No Lysine (WNK) kinases are named for their unusual active site. WNK kinases 1 and 4 are implicated in Gordon syndrome, a familial form of hypertension. Treatments target Na+/K+/2Cl- and Na+/Cl- cation chloride cotransporters (NKCCs and NCCs), indicating that WNK kinases are present upstream of these channels. NCC/NKCC transport is regulated by chloride inhibition and osmotic stress activation. Previous experiments show that WNK1 activation and activity are inhibited by chloride, as well as a chloride binding pocket in the activation site of WNK1. Other researchers have shown that WNKs are activated by osmotic stress, leading to the hypothesis that WNKs regulate cation- chloride transporters by sensing chloride and osmotic pressure.
What does research mean to you? For me, research is a space where I can exercise my natural curiosity. I’ve had the opportunity to ask questions and find solutions through research. Each inquiry taught me new skills, and each challenge pushed me to work harder and persevere to find a solution. Through research, I’ve worked on projects that increased my knowledge and helped me better understand scientific phenomena. I hope to, in the future, continue to pursue different research questions, to further my understanding and our understanding of the basic sciences and hopefully using that knowledge to improve patient care.
Tell us about your journey. I first started researching in high school at UT Southwestern, in Dr. Mike White’s lab. I began by studying non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cell lines and the role of the Ras pathway in cancer metastasis. From there, I proceeded to work in Dr. Jerry Shay and Dr. Wright’s Lab, where I studied cystic fibrosis (CFTR) mutants generated by CRISPR knockouts. For the past two years, I’ve been working in Dr. Elizabeth Goldsmith’s lab, where I’ve studied the structure and function of WNK kinases. Through the Green Fellowship, I had the opportunity to increase my research in Dr. Goldsmith’s Lab, and I performed new studies to help better elucidate the structure of WNK kinases.
Advice for Future GreenFellows
My advice to future Green Fellows is simple. First, remain patient and approach any obstacles with a clear mind. Second, make sure to find your community, especially amongst the other Green Fellows, and create strong bonds through the program.