Molecular genetics and polycystic kidney diseases.

Polycystic kidney diseases (PKDs) comprise a group of common disorders, inherited as a monofactorial trait, usually dominant but sometimes recessive. The origin and mechanism of these diseases are unknown. Molecular genetics has now provided the means to seek the diseased gene(s), however, and, once found, to unravel the protein sequence and ultimately to understand the pathophysiology of these disorders.