====== TSC2 ======


[[Tuberous sclerosis complex]] is caused by a [[mutation]] of either of two [[gene]]s, [[TSC1]] and [[TSC2]], which code for the proteins [[hamartin]] and [[tuberin]] respectively. These proteins act as tumor growth suppressors, agents that regulate cell proliferation and differentiation.
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TSC2 is predicted to encode a 1784-amino acid [[tumor suppressor]] protein that may function, in part, as a GTPase-activating protein for [[Rap1]]. Given the high incidence of central nervous system abnormalities in individuals affected with tuberous sclerosis, the expression of TSC2 in developing and adult nervous system tissues was examined. Reverse transcription-PCR, Northern blot, and in situ hybridization analyses demonstrated high levels of expression of TSC2 in the adult brain and developing central nervous system. Abundant TSC2 expression was detected in the adult [[cerebellum]], [[hippocampus]], and [[olfactory bulb]], with lower levels of expression observed in other tissues, including heart and kidney. This enrichment of TSC2 expression in neurons in the central nervous system suggests unique roles for this tumor suppressor gene product in the development and differentiation of nervous system tissues
((Geist RT, Gutmann DH. The tuberous sclerosis 2 gene is expressed at high
levels in the cerebellum and developing spinal cord. Cell Growth Differ. 1995
Nov;6(11):1477-83. PubMed PMID: 8562486.
)).