Controlling the crowd with a WNK

Volume control is a fundamental challenge for all cells, the mechanisms of which have been long debated. In this issue of Cell, Boyd-Shiwarski et al. find that increased molecular crowding drives condensation of WNK kinase, allowing cells to sense and respond to cell volume loss.

Automated summary

Volume control is a fundamental challenge for cells, and the mechanisms behind it have been a topic of debate. A recent study has found that increased molecular crowding leads to the condensation of WNK kinase, enabling cells to sense and respond to a decrease in cell volume.