Distribution of Tsc2 protein in various normal rat tissues and renal tumours of Tsc2 mutant (Eker) rat detected by immunohistochemistry

Alterations in the rat tuberous sclerosis gene (Tsc2) are responsible for t he hereditary renal carcinomas (RCs) of Eker rat. We examined protein distr ibution in various normal fat tissues and the Eker RCs by immunohistochemis try. Tsc3 protein is expressed in the mammary ducts, salivary glands, gastr ic glands, parathyroid, small and large intestine, ovary and uterus. Specif ic expression of Tsc2 protein is found in the B cells of pancreatic islets and in the smooth muscle of lung veins. Interestingly, in the RCs of Eker r at, Tsc2 protein was detectable with some variation in reactivity.