Autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease is a common disorder that is caused by mutations inPKD1 and PKD2. The proteins that these genes encode, polycystin 1 and polycystin 2, are thought to be involved in the sensing of shear stress and pressure through the regulation of calcium influx, nucleotide release and purinergic stimulation. This Review summarizes our current understanding of the role of polycystins in mechanosensory transduction and describes the potential role of altered mechanosensory transduction in the etiology of polycystic kidney disease.
