GJA1 expression was increased in diseased kidneys (n = 48) versus healthy controls (Fig. 1a; GJA1, P < 0.0001), where increased GJA1 expression positively correlates to increased proteinuria (P < 0.05) (Fig. 1b) and declining GFR (P < 0.0001) (Fig. 1c) in individuals with CKD respectively. The gene discussed is GJA1; the disease is chronic kidney disease.