PKD1 and autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease: ADPKD is caused by mutations in the genes that encode for polycystin-1 and polycystin-2 (Pkd1 and Pkd2 respectively); however, progression of the disease is highly influenced by factors circulating in the bloodstream (Pei, 2011; Fedeles et al., 2014; Ong and Harris, 2015).