有两种已公认的基因位点可引发 TSC:TSC1 基因(被发现位于染色体 9q34 上)及 TSC2 基因(被发现位于染色体 16p13 上)。[2]Hyman MH, Whittemore VH. National Institutes of Health consensus conference: tuberous sclerosis complex. Arch Neurol. 2000 May;57(5):662-5.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10815131?tool=bestpractice.com[3]European Chromosome 16 Tuberous Sclerosis Consortium. Identification and characterization of the tuberous sclerosis gene on chromosome 16. Cell. 1993;75:1305-1315.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8269512?tool=bestpractice.com[4]van Slegtenhorst M, de Hoogt R, Hermans C, et al. Identification of the tuberous sclerosis gene TSC1 on chromosome 9q34. Science. 1997;277:805-808.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9242607?tool=bestpractice.com 大部分 (80%-90%) 患者具有 TSC2 基因突变;但是,每个基因位点可能引起存在个体差异的同一种表型表达。[5]Dabora SL, Jozwiak S, Franz DN, et al. Mutational analysis in a cohort of 224 tuberous sclerosis patients indicates increased severity of TSC2, compared to TSC1, disease in multiple organs. Am J Hum Genet. 2001;68:64-80.http://www.cell.com/ajhg/fulltext/S0002-9297(07)62472-0http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11112665?tool=bestpractice.com[6]Cheadle J, Reeve M, Samson J, et al. Molecular genetic advances in tuberous sclerosis. Hum Genet. 2000;62:345-357.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11030407?tool=bestpractice.com[7]Au KS, Williams AT, Roach ES, et al. Genotype/phenotype correlation in 325 individuals referred for a diagnosis of tuberous sclerosis complex in the United States. Genet Med. 2007;9:88-100.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17304050?tool=bestpractice.com 这种遗传异质性因不同的表达而变得更加复杂,以致于遗传同种基因突变的家族成员可能表现出存在很大差异的体征和症状。[7]Au KS, Williams AT, Roach ES, et al. Genotype/phenotype correlation in 325 individuals referred for a diagnosis of tuberous sclerosis complex in the United States. Genet Med. 2007;9:88-100.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17304050?tool=bestpractice.com
关于两种基因小型变异、大小型缺失及重组的“复合型结节性硬化症变异数据库”中已报告有超过 500 组的不同变异。[7]Au KS, Williams AT, Roach ES, et al. Genotype/phenotype correlation in 325 individuals referred for a diagnosis of tuberous sclerosis complex in the United States. Genet Med. 2007;9:88-100.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17304050?tool=bestpractice.com 大部分 TSC2 突变涉及错义突变(25%~32%)和大型缺失/重组(12%~17%),而 TSC1 基因则隐藏了大部分可导致毫无意义的小型突变或可导致蛋白质截断的移码突变。[5]Dabora SL, Jozwiak S, Franz DN, et al. Mutational analysis in a cohort of 224 tuberous sclerosis patients indicates increased severity of TSC2, compared to TSC1, disease in multiple organs. Am J Hum Genet. 2001;68:64-80.http://www.cell.com/ajhg/fulltext/S0002-9297(07)62472-0http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11112665?tool=bestpractice.com[6]Cheadle J, Reeve M, Samson J, et al. Molecular genetic advances in tuberous sclerosis. Hum Genet. 2000;62:345-357.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11030407?tool=bestpractice.com[7]Au KS, Williams AT, Roach ES, et al. Genotype/phenotype correlation in 325 individuals referred for a diagnosis of tuberous sclerosis complex in the United States. Genet Med. 2007;9:88-100.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17304050?tool=bestpractice.com 到目前为止,所有研究均报告散发性(约 75%)和家族性(约 65%)两种形式中 TSC2 更为常见,家族性患者中 TSC2 : TSC1 比例约为 2:1,而自发性患者中则为 3.5:1。
研究发现,TSC2 基因突变会产生更严重的临床表现。 携带这种基因突变的人倾向于患有更多脱色斑和学习障碍且男性患者已显示出更频繁的神经病学和眼部症状、肾囊肿及指甲纤维瘤。[7]Au KS, Williams AT, Roach ES, et al. Genotype/phenotype correlation in 325 individuals referred for a diagnosis of tuberous sclerosis complex in the United States. Genet Med. 2007;9:88-100.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17304050?tool=bestpractice.com