Figure 5.

Knockdown of ERK1/2 expression abolished WNK1-mediated effects on BK protein expression. HEK BKα cells were transfected with scramble control siRNA or 45 nM of siRNA WNK1 with or without siRNA ERK1/2 (15 nM). Forty-eight hours after transfection, cells were lysed and subjected to SDS-PAGE and Western blot analysis. (A) Representative immunoblots for WNK1, BK, phospho-ERK1/2, total-ERK1/2, and actin. Bar graphs show mean±SD band densities of BK (B) and WNK1 (C) and ratio of p-ERK1/2 over t-ERK1/2 (D). The knockdown of WNK1 expression significantly decreases total BK protein expressions, whereas knocking down ERK1/2 abolished siRNA WNK1-mediated inhibitory effect on BK protein expressions. n=8; *P<0.05 versus control.