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 the hereditary renal carcinomas (RCs) of Eker rat. We examined protein distribution in various normal rat tissues and the Eker RCs by immunohistochemistry. Tsc2 protein is expressed in the mammary ducts, salivary glands, gastric glands, parathyroid, small and large intestine, ovary and uterus. Specific 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 rat, Tsc2 protein was detectable with some variation in reactivity.