Genetics - Musculoskeletal Block Flashcards
(193 cards)
What is the simplified pathophysiology of tuberous sclerosis complex?
Mutation in genes coding for tumor suppressor proteins
–> potential mix of benign tumor growth in several organs
(e.g. kidneys, heart, liver, eyes, lungs, and skin)
Does tuberous sclerosis typically result in benign or malignant tumors?
Benign
What are some of the organs most commonly affected by tuberous sclerosis?
Skin, brain, kidney, heart, lung
85% of individuals with tuberous sclerosis will show a mutation in one of what two genes?
TSC2 (69%);
TSC1 (31%)
Name three skin lesions commonly associated with tuberous sclerosis.
Hypomelanotic (ash leaf) macules (87-100% of cases)
Facial angiofibromas (47-90% of cases)
Shagreen (coast of Maine) patches (20-80% of cases)
Name two brain lesions commonly associated with tuberous sclerosis.
Name two signs or symptoms of brain lesions commonly associated with tuberous sclerosis.
Subependymal nodules (SENs; 90% of cases)
Cortical tubers (70% of cases);
Seizures (80% of cases)
Intellectual Disability (50% of cases)
Tuberous sclerosis is associated with mutations in what two genes (85% of cases involving one of these genes)?
What two proteins are coded for by these two genes, respectively?
TSC1 - hamartin;
TSC2 - tuberin
What is the leading cause of increased morbidity and mortality in tuberous sclerosis?
What is the 2nd leading cause of increased morbidity and mortality in tuberous sclerosis?
CNS tumors / intellectual disability;
renal disease
What is the most common renal lesion in tuberous sclerosis?
What is the 2nd most common renal lesion in tuberous sclerosis?
Benign angiomyolipomas (70% of cases)
epithelial cysts (30% of cases)
True/False.
Tuberous sclerosis complex has a fairly high association with autism spectrum disorder?
True (~0.4)
What mode of inheritance does tuberous sclerosis show?
Autosomal dominant
(with variable expressivity)
What is the purpose of the proteins hamartin and tuberin?
What disease is associated with mutations in the genes coding for these proteins?
What are the genes?
Tumor suppression;
tuberous sclerosis;
TSC1 (hamartin) and TSC2 (tuberin)
The following list displays some of the major features of tuberous sclerosis that are present in the majority of cases (bolded).
Below are a few features that aren’t necessarily present in the majority of cases (italicized).
- Subependymal nodule (SEN) (90%)
- Hypomelanotic (ash leaf) macule (87-100%)
- Facial angiofibroma (47-90%)
- Cortical tuber (70%)
- Shagreen (coast of Maine) patch (connective tissue nevus) (20-80%)
- Cardiac rhabdomyoma (47-67%)
- Renal angiomyolipoma (typically benign)
- Multiple retinal hamartoma
- Lymphangiomyomatosi (LAM) (30%)
- Subependymal Giant Cell Astrocytoma (SEGA) (6-14%)
What is a defining feature of tuberous sclerosis autosomal dominant inheritance?
Variable expressivity
What mode of inheritance does tuberous sclerosis display?
What may be responsible for its variable expressivity?
Autosomal dominant;
the ‘two-hit’ hypothesis / random nature of second hit (TSC1, TSC2 genes)
True/False.
The majority of cases of tuberous sclerorsis develop malignant renal angiomyolipomas.
False (<3%);
70% show benign renal angiomyolipomas
Define the medical term proband.
An individual who presents with a genetic disorder
(must warrant investigation of the individual’s family)
What percentage of tuberous sclerosis probands (new cases) have an affected parent?
What percentage do not?
1/3;
2/3 (de novo mutations)
An individual with tuberous sclerosis complex has what likelihood of passing it on to their progeny?
(Note: meaning the likelihood of a single birth where one parent is affected resulting in a child with the disease)
50%
(autosomal dominant)
A child is born with tuberous sclerosis. Neither of her parents are affected. What risk do her future siblings have?
1-2%
(possible germline mosaicism)
What dermatological lesion is here shown?
With what neurocutaneous disorder is it associated?

A shagreen patch;
tuberous sclerosis complex

What dermatological lesions are here shown?
With what neurocutaneous disorder is it associated?

Hypomelanotic macules;
tuberous sclerosis complex

What dermatological lesions are here shown?
With what neurocutaneous disorder is it associated?
Similar wart-like projects and bumps are sometimes associated with this disorder and found where on the body?

Facial angiofibromas;
tuberous sclerosis complex;
skin around nail folds (periungal fibromas)

A seven-year-old male is brought in by his concerned parents for your evaluation after experiencing a short seizure of undetermined type and origin.
Upon physical exam, you notice the child has several near-white macules on his hips, back, and shoulders. You also notice some roughened skin on his face in a malar distribution.
The child is mentally disabled.
What syndrome is at the top of your differential?
It is associated with mutations in what gene(s)?
Tuberous sclerosis;
TSC1 (hamartin protein), TSC2 (tuberin protein)






